Death trap: How Kenyan driver's maiden trip to Congo turned tragic

The late Kenyan truck driver Edwin Ngugi Njuguna. [Benard Lusigi, Standard]

For Kenyan truck driver Edwin Ngugi Njuguna, what was meant to be a promising first trip outside the country after he secured a new job ended in tragedy.

On April 2, Njuguna, who was born in Malaba, Busia County, set off on a long-distance journey from Mombasa, transporting a consignment to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, in a cruel twist of fate, the 37-year-old was killed while on the trip, with his decomposing body discovered 10 days later in a forest.

Reports indicate that he is suspected to have been attacked and killed by armed assailants believed to be rebels operating in parts of the conflict-prone region.

In audio clips shared with his cousin, Njega Njuguna, via WhatsApp before his death, the driver recounted a harrowing ordeal, describing how helpless he felt after his truck broke down and his life was put in danger as he waited for assistance.

The help he expected from his employer never materialised. Instead, he was allegedly abandoned while on duty in a foreign country, trying to safeguard the consignment.

“Yesterday, my truck broke down due to the poor state of the road. Armed civilians with machetes came and attempted to attack me and steal from the truck, but I was saved by soldiers who are now protecting me in the forest,” Njuguna said in a voice note.

He expressed frustration over delays in rescue efforts, noting that the truck owner had promised to send another vehicle to transfer the cargo and ensure his safety, but the promise was not fulfilled.

“The owner of the consignment promised to send another truck so we could transfer the cargo and abandon the broken one, but I am still waiting,” he said.

Rose Ngugi, mother to the late truck driver Edwin Ngugi Njuguna during the interview in Malaba, Busia County, on April15, 2026. [Benard Lusigi, Standard]

Hopes of finding him alive were shattered 10 days later when the Kenya Truck Association shared images of his decomposing body.

Njega said he was the first person Njuguna contacted after encountering trouble.

“On April 3, his phone went off. Ten days later, we received information through a social media post from his colleagues. Photos were shared, and after careful identification, we confirmed it was him. One of the drivers travelled to the scene and verified the body, which had a stab wound. The cargo had been stolen, and his money and driving licence were found beside him.”

Njega said Njuguna had only recently secured his first job as a truck driver following the death of his father, who had been a long-serving driver, in February.

“He used to travel to Congo with his father as a conductor. After his father’s death, he applied for the job and was employed by the same company,” he said.

He described Njuguna as the family’s breadwinner, noting that he leaves behind a wife and two children. His wife had also secured employment in Qatar.

The deceased’s mother, Rose Ngugi appealed for government intervention.

“He was a promising young man. As a family, we cannot even travel to Congo. We identified his body through photos sent to a mobile phone,” she said.