We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
Kenyan truck drivers threaten a total cargo blockade to South Sudan, citing rampant extortion, violent attacks by security forces, and the arbitrary detention of colleagues on the Juba-Nimule highway.

Kenyan truck drivers have drawn a line in the sand, threatening a total blockade of cargo to South Sudan following a fresh wave of brutal attacks, extortion, and arbitrary detentions that have turned the Juba-Nimule highway into a death trap.
The diplomatic pleasantries are over. What was meant to be a trade corridor has devolved into a lawless gauntlet where drivers are routinely beaten, fleeced by uniformed officers, and thrown into indefinite detention without trial. The Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) has issued a chilling ultimatum: unless the South Sudanese government reins in its rogue security forces immediately, the wheels stop turning. This is not just a labour dispute; it is a desperate cry for survival from the men and women who keep the region’s supply chains alive but are treated as collateral damage in a breakdown of bilateral order.
The grievances listed by the drivers read like a war crime dossier rather than a trade dispute. Despite a high-profile deal struck recently to guarantee their safety, drivers report that nothing has changed on the ground. The Juba-Nimule highway remains a predator’s playground where illegal roadblocks are manned by soldiers who demand bribes at gunpoint. Those who cannot pay are subjected to physical assault or have their cargo seized.
“We are not just losing money; we are losing our dignity and our lives,” a representative from the transporters’ association stated in a tense press briefing. The association highlighted specific, harrowing cases that expose the systemic nature of the abuse. One Kenyan driver, Mohamed Abukar Muumin, remains detained in Juba under unclear circumstances, reportedly fined an exorbitant sum that reeks of state-sanctioned extortion. Another Tanzanian national, Juma Ally Maganga, was thrown behind bars following a road accident, illustrating a judicial system that presumes foreigners guilty until proven bankrupt.
The economic ramifications of a strike would be catastrophic for South Sudan, a landlocked nation that relies almost entirely on the port of Mombasa for its imports. Fuel, food, and medical supplies would dry up within days if the Kenyan fleet parks its brakes. Yet, the drivers argue they have no choice. The risk of crossing the border now outweighs the reward of the payload.
“If the government cannot protect us, we will not feed them,” one driver declared, summarizing the mood of a workforce pushed to the breaking point. As the standoff intensifies, the ball is firmly in Juba’s court: restore order and respect for the rule of law, or face a crippling economic siege of its own making.
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Sign in to start a discussion
Start a conversation about this story and keep it linked here.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 9 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 9 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 9 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 9 months ago