Four Kenyan truckers feared dead in South Sudan
A shroud of fear and fury hangs over Kenyan families as four truck drivers are feared dead and 64 remain detained in South Sudan under unclear circumstances.
A shroud of fear and fury hangs over Kenyan families as four truck drivers are feared dead and 64 remain detained in South Sudan under unclear circumstances. The Kenya Long Distance Drivers Association (KLDDA) has leveled scathing accusations against South Sudanese authorities, alleging the drivers were shot dead and the arrested ones subjected to cruel treatment. This latest episode in a grim saga has ignited demands for immediate action from the Kenyan government.
KLDDA chairman, Roman Wema, painted a harrowing picture of the situation. He claims the arrested drivers were dragged from their vehicles at gunpoint and thrown into squalid jails after daring to protest the alleged killings of their colleagues. "We are worried sick," Wema grimly stated, "We know what happens in those cells. They chain them up all day, it's inhumane."
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This tragedy is not an isolated incident. April 2021 saw two Kenyan drivers murdered and two vanish in an ambush along the Juba-Nimale highway. Just five months later, a chilling tally emerged: 21 Kenyan and Ugandan drivers slain by gunmen while delivering cargo to South Sudan, prompting a two-week boycott of the route.
The KLDDA has issued a desperate plea to the Kenyan government, urging them to intervene and secure the release of the detained drivers, ensuring their safe return home. They demand a thorough investigation into the alleged killings and a definitive solution to the ongoing challenges faced by Kenyan drivers in South Sudan, including rampant harassment, violence, and a complete lack of security.
"This is not just about our sons and brothers," Wema declared, his voice thick with emotion. "This is about safety, justice, and the right to work without fear. Our government cannot turn a blind eye to this."
The economic impact of these incidents is undeniable. Kenyan businesses are reeling from disruptions caused by both the violence and the subsequent boycotts. The trucking industry, a vital cog in the regional economy, is grinding to a halt, crippling trade and threatening livelihoods.
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