This archive report was first published on 23 August 2021.
Published on August 23, 2021, a day after two Kenyan truck drivers were killed in an attack near Juba, South Sudan.
Kenyan truck drivers have suspended transporting cargo to South Sudan after two drivers were killed just 45 kilometres from Juba on Sunday evening.
Five trucks were attacked by unknown people at about 5.30pm and two Kenyans were killed while drivers of three other trucks had to flee for their lives.
The Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) has advised its over 5,000 members to stop ferrying cargo to South Sudan due to increased lawlessness and insecurity along the Nimule-Juba highway.
“Following increased lawlessness and insecurity along Nimule-Juba highway that has seen several drivers killed and trucks either burnt or vandalised, we wish to advise all transporters not to risk the lives of their drivers and their trucks by continuing to offer transport services to South Sudan as the country remains highly volatile,” KTA chairperson Newton Wang’oo said in a statement.
Wang’oo urged those already en route to deliver the goods to the customs yard at Elegu border and asked the South Sudanese government to immediately take measures to protect drivers already in that country.
He also urged Juba to compensate for the lives and properties lost in the recent attacks.
Attacks along the highway have been rampant, with cases reported in April, May, and October last year.
