What was once considered a risky but manageable profession is now being described by many drivers as a “death sentence,” with calls for urgent intervention reaching a boiling point.
Reports from major highways indicate a disturbing pattern of violent ambushes, hijackings, and killings, particularly along transit corridors known for heavy cargo movement.
Drivers say they are being singled out by armed gangs who strike with alarming precision, often disappearing without a trace. The situation has left families shattered and the transport community on edge.
Truck operators are now warning that unless immediate action is taken to guarantee their safety, they will have no choice but to down their tools.
Industry leaders argue that the silence and slow response from authorities have only emboldened criminal networks, putting more lives at risk each day.
“We cannot continue to lose our colleagues like this,” one driver lamented. “Every trip feels like a gamble with death. Enough is enough.”
The potential shutdown threatens to send shockwaves across the economy, given the critical role truck drivers play in transporting goods across the country and the wider East African region.
A halt in operations could disrupt supply chains, trigger shortages, and push prices of essential commodities even higher.
Stakeholders in the logistics sector are now urging the government to deploy enhanced security measures, including increased patrols, surveillance, and rapid response units along high-risk routes.
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Others are calling for intelligence-led crackdowns on criminal gangs believed to be behind the attacks.
Security experts warn that failure to act swiftly could escalate the crisis, potentially crippling trade and undermining confidence in the country’s transport infrastructure.
As tensions rise, all eyes are now on authorities to see whether they will move decisively to restore order or risk a nationwide disruption driven by fear and frustration.
