Drivers travelling to the Democratic Republic of Congo have been urged to suspend their journey due to a surge in insecurity in the Mahiga area along the Trans-African highway, which connects Kenya to the troubled country.
In a brief statement on Tuesday morning, the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya (LODDCA) called on the drivers to suspend their trip until security is beefed up along the Goli–Mahagi–Bunia Road connecting Uganda and the DRC.
The announcement follows an incident where truck drivers were reportedly attacked by unknown people while on their way to DR Congo, forcing them to seek intervention from authorities in Kenya.
In one of the cases, a trailer transporting fuel to the central African nation suffered severe damage to the windscreen after the attackers began pelting stones at the vehicle.
While urging drivers to suspend their journey to DR Congo, the association revealed that in the last two months, drivers have been attacked by the said assailants.
"Drivers going to Congo are urged to suspend their trips until security is beefed up. In the last 2 months, drivers have been attacked and others done away with," the Association announced.
The latest development adds to the numerous challenges faced by long-distance truck drivers, ranging from insecurity to poor road infrastructure and bureaucratic hurdles.
This also comes hardly a month after the Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) warned long-distance truck drivers against using the Nimule-Juba highway in South Sudan after 4 pm due to rising insecurity.
The association, in a statement on Monday, July 15, said the curfew was imposed following recent consultations with the South Sudanese government.
According to KTA Chairperson Newton Wang'oo, travelling beyond 4 pm was highly discouraged because most incidents along the highway occurred mostly in the evening and at night.
In the warning notice, all truck drivers were urged to ensure that their trucks are packed at the designated secure locations before or by 4 pm.
“Following recent engagements with government representatives of South Sudan regarding rising insecurity along the Nimule-Juba Highway, all truck movement beyond 16 hours is strictly discouraged," said Wang'oo.
“Reports indicate that most incidents occur during evening and night hours. Please ensure all trucks are parked in a secure location by 16 hours,” he added.
