Kenya moves to end harassment of truck drivers in South Sudan

Kenya has stepped up diplomatic efforts to protect its truck drivers and traders operating in South Sudan, East African Community Affairs Principal Secretary, Caroline Karugu, now says.

This follows growing concerns over attacks, extortion and harassment that continue to threaten one of East Africa's busiest trade corridors.

According to the PS, Kenya and South Sudan have agreed on a joint framework to tackle the persistent mistreatment of transporters and business people, following a recent bilateral meeting dedicated exclusively to addressing trade barriers between the two countries.

"The issue of harassment of truck drivers and business people was one of the key agenda items during our discussions," Karugu said. "We have already developed a structure on how these cases will be addressed whenever they arise."

The move comes amid increasing reports of violence against Kenyan truck drivers using the Juba-Nimule Highway, the main route linking South Sudan to Uganda and the Port of Mombasa through the Northern Corridor.

For years, transporters have complained of assaults, shootings, illegal roadblocks, extortion and arbitrary charges imposed by rogue security officers and criminal gangs operating along the route.

The corridor is critical for transporting food, fuel, construction materials and other essential goods to South Sudan, making security a major concern for regional trade.

Karugu said one of the immediate resolutions reached with South Sudan was to reduce the number of security checkpoints, which transporters have identified as major centres for extortion.

"When we went to that meeting, we were informed that there are more than 11 checkpoints between the Uganda-South Sudan border and the interior. It was agreed that these checkpoints would be reduced," she said.

She added that South Sudan had also committed to engaging its military and other security agencies to stop the harassment of East African truck drivers and traders.

"We shall hold follow-up meetings to ensure these commitments are implemented," Karugu said during a briefing in Nairobi.

The bilateral engagement is part of wider efforts by Nairobi to safeguard trade with one of its key export markets despite persistent insecurity.

According to the Ministry of EAC Affairs, it currently takes about 14 days for cargo to move from Kenya to South Sudan, with delays largely attributed to insecurity, multiple roadblocks and cumbersome border procedures.

The commitments come as truck drivers continue to report worsening conditions on the ground.

The Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers Union says more than 60 cases involving assaults, extortion, flogging and other forms of abuse have been reported this year alone.

The latest incident involved a Kenyan driver popularly known as Mzee Malalo, who was allegedly attacked by individuals believed to be security officers before being evacuated to northern Uganda for treatment after failing to access adequate medical care in South Sudan.

The union says foreign truck drivers lose an average of about $500 (Sh64,650) in illegal payments while travelling the 125-kilometre stretch between Aru Junction and Nesitu.

Drivers have also complained of unofficial immigration charges, inflated road tolls and demands for cash at numerous roadblocks before they are allowed to proceed with their journeys.

Union officials argue that despite previous agreements between transporters and South Sudan authorities, little has changed.

The association's records show that at least 10 foreign truck drivers have been killed in South Sudan since 2021, while dozens of others have suffered gunshot wounds or permanent injuries.

Repeated strikes by truck drivers over the past six years have disrupted cargo movement into South Sudan, affecting supplies of food, fuel and other essential commodities.

The security challenges have also attracted the attention of Kenyan authorities.

Earlier this year, the Kenyan Embassy in Juba issued a security advisory urging Kenyans in South Sudan to exercise extreme caution following renewed armed conflict and deteriorating security conditions.

Industry players say restoring confidence along the corridor is essential not only for the safety of drivers but also for sustaining trade within the East African Community.

South Sudan remains an important destination for Kenyan exports ranging from manufactured goods to processed foods, with thousands of trucks crossing the border annually, and a key user of the Port of Mombasa.