Kenyan Truck Drivers Warn of DRC Freight Suspension After Colleague’s Killing
Kenyan long-distance truck drivers have warned they may suspend freight services into the Democratic Republic of Congo following the killing of a colleague in Bunia.
The Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) has urged the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs to take immediate action, citing repeated attacks on drivers operating along the Northern Corridor. The group says the death of Edwin Njuguna, a 37-year-old driver from Busia County, highlights the increasing risks faced by transport workers in the region.
Njuguna left Mombasa on 2 April transporting goods to the DRC. His truck later broke down in Bunia, leaving him stranded. Family members say he had expressed concern about insecurity in the area and sought protection from local soldiers, who allegedly extorted him and then abandoned him.
His body was found several days later in a forest with stab and gunshot wounds. The truck had been looted. His remains were taken to Bunia Main Hospital, where they remain.
Relatives say they learned of his death through images shared among drivers on WhatsApp. They have appealed for government support, stating they cannot afford to travel to the DRC to repatriate the body.
LoDDCA reports that this is the third such killing in recent months, indicating a pattern of violence against drivers. The association has criticised both the lack of accountability and the limited support from employers, including assistance with repatriation. It has warned that unless effective safety measures are introduced, it may advise drivers to stop transporting goods into the DRC.
The Northern Corridor is a key trade route linking the port of Mombasa to several landlocked countries in East and Central Africa. Any disruption to transport services could affect regional trade and economic activity.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has not yet issued a formal response.
