Long-distance drivers staged a protest at the Mombasa Port citing the exorbitant fees they have been forced to pay while carrying out their operations.
The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) confirmed the strike stating that they were being charged Ksh1,000 to Ksh5,000 for the arming of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) seals.
In a statement dated January 30, LoDDCA described this practice as exploitative as the service was legally free.
“The Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) strongly condemns the ongoing exploitation of truck drivers and transporters through the illegal charging of Kshs 1,000 to 5,000 for the arming of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) seals a service that is legally FREE,” part of the statement read.
“This unethical practice has resulted in unjustified financial burdens, operational inefficiencies, and severe delays in port activities, negatively impacting the transport and logistics sector.”
For this reason, the association directed all members to cease entry to the Mombasa Port until the matter was resolved and stop all cargo from being armed with RECTS until further notice.
Further, the statement listed five demands to the government including the immediate cessation of all unauthorised charges imposed on truckers for RECTS arming.
They also called for the accountability of officials who have illegally been involved in the RECTS process as well as a statement reaffirming that the RECTS process was free and expressing a commitment to act against the corrupt officials.
Their fourth demand was the immediate removal and prosecution of all personnel along the Northern Corridor involved in this illegal scheme.
Lastly, they called for the implementation of a transparent and efficient cargo clearance process to eliminate further delays at the port.
“Until these demands are fully met, no truck shall operate, no cargo shall move and no business shall proceed,” they declared.
“We call upon all transport stakeholders to remain united in the fight against corruption and exploitation within the sector.”
These protests took place at the same time that Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) operators in Nairobi staged protests in the Central Business District (CBD).
The drivers were protesting the infiltration of hawkers in their parking spaces after Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja booted them from hawking on major streets like Moi Avenue.
