Long-distance truck drivers began peaceful demonstrations yesterday despite the police warning the demonstrations are illegal.
The Kenyan Truck Drivers Group chairman Hassan Kabeberi said they would use 3,000 trucks to strategically block major roads on the Nairobi–Mombasa, Nairobi-Nakuru and Busia-Kisumu sections. Several reasons have prompted the truckers to demonstrate.
Not for the first time, truck drivers have complained of police harassment. Indeed, as any motorist on the Kenyan roads will attest, traffic police officers have become notorious for soliciting bribes for minor traffic infractions. The maintenance of law and order on the roads is of secondary importance to most of these officers.
Similarly, given that trucks convey valuables and need both police protection and escort, especially those getting into volatile areas or dangerous territory like South Sudan, the police have not been supportive.
Consequently, 37 drivers have been killed in South Sudan since January this year. The drivers also complain of having to contend with frequent thefts of merchandise from their trucks in parking places, for which they are surcharged.
But while it is not necessary for the drivers to sabotage the economy to get their concerns addressed, there is every reason for the Government to look into their concerns immediately. Apart from the inconvenience to other road users arising from the blockades, the economy will suffer. The Mombasa-Nairobi highway is the main artery to the hinterland and neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda.
Thus, it must remain clear of any encumbrances to facilitate easy flow of goods and people. While at it, the Government should also improve services at weighbridges, which the truckers complain have been tampered with to extort money from them for allegedly carrying excess weight.
The bad roads that break down vehicles and even occasioned a three-day gridlock in November last year should be re-carpeted.
