Africa-Press – Kenya. a Kenyan driver was assaulted, detained and forced to pay 1.5 million South Sudanese Pound (about Sh 41,280) for allegedly knocking a stray dog on the highway in Sudan.
Another driver whose name was only given as Hassan was last week beaten and his documents confiscated at a road block along the Nimule-Juba Highway—South Sudan’s vital paved artery connecting the capital (Juba) to Uganda and the East African region.
Reason: he had refused to part with some money.
This is the plight of foreign drivers in South Sudan, where at least 10 have been killed with several dozen maimed since 2021.
Two Kenyan drivers were killed on August 22, 2021, leading to a major strike by drivers who halted moving cargo to South Sudan mainly from the Port of Mombasa.
Speaking to the Star yesterday, Kenyan drivers operating along the Nothern Corridor, which runs from Mombasa into Uganda-South Sudan, Rwanda, DR Congo and Burindi, decried continued insecurity in South Sudan.
They said they are being attacked along the highways and parking lots. They also have to part with money at road blocks along the highways.
“They will ask for your documents, then money which you have to give if you are to continue with your journey. If you don’t, they confiscate your documents untill you part with cash,” Roman Waema, an official and member of the Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers Union told the Star.
According to the union, foreign drivers are spending at least $500 (about Sh64,500) on road blocks between Aru Junction and Nesitu (125 km part of the Juba-Nimule highway), which has been a significant concern, characterised by armed robberies, illegal checkpoints and violence against travelers and truck drivers.
While the government has attempted to address these issues with security deployments, the area remains volatile.
“There is also rising insecurity in Rock City parking yard where criminal gangs rob truck drivers at parking areas with the knowledge of security officers,” Waema said, “We condemn the inhumane treatment of Kenyan and foreign truck drivers in South Sudan.”
“South Sudan must respect East African laws and trade agreements. Truck drivers are workers, not criminals. If this harassment continues, we will boycott transporting goods to South Sudan until our safety and dignity are guaranteed.”
The union’s chairman Sudi Mwatela said drivers are also forced to load charcoal at gun point and transport the commodity to Juba from Moli, a 172 kilometre stretch on the Juba-Nimule Highway.
“South Sudan government is failing truck drivers. Soldiers are extorting drivers and beating those who refuse to give bribes even after a signed agreement to end inhumane acts like extortion and forced charcoal transport. If this abuse continues, we will down our tools. Our lives matter,” Mwatela said.
Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers Association general-secretary Nicholas Mbugua termed the situation in South Sudan “very wanting.”
“You have to part same money to have peace. We are addressing it diplomatically through the South Sudan Embassy in Nairobi but still no official communication,” he told the Star.
The Embassy of Kenya in South Sudan on January 28 issued a safety advisory to Kenyans in working and operating in the country, citing worsening insecurity.
It warned that armed conflict and general insecurity had intensified since December 2025, raising concerns about the safety of foreign nationals, including Kenyans.
Truck drivers have blamed the South Sudanese government for failing to implement key agreements reached after three major strikes between 2019 and 2024 paralysed cargo movement into South Sudan, hurting trade and delivery of key food commodities.
In September 2019, more than 2,000 drivers downed their tools at the Elegu-Nimule border over abduction and murder of foreigner drivers, insecurity, extortion and harassment by immigration officers, among others.
Others remained stuck at Malaba, Kampala, Lira, Kamudini, Gulu, Pabi Attiak and Nibia over insecurity in South Sudan.
On July 11, last year, a Joint Operations Technical Committee meeting which involved the South Sudan Revenue Authority, security operators, representatives from the East African Community and the Long-Distance Truck Drivers’ Association, agreed to address insecurity and facilitate smooth movement of goods.
The key outcome of the meeting was the decision to establish a joint Task Force dedicated to monitoring activities along the highway.
South Sudan government committed to designate specific checkpoints to strengthen security on the highway while streamlining customs procedures.
Charges that were deemed illegal included CID fees, manifest fees, traffic fees and collection activities at key points.
The Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority Executive Secretary, John Deng, yesterday said: “I will follow up with the authorities in South Sudan.”
Deng has been calling for improved road network and security along the corridor.
“We must guarantee security and safety in all modes of transport and ensure the respect of international standards and regulations.”
