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Travel advisory issued for long-distance truck drivers as protests rock major towns

Heavy police presence along key streets including Tom Mboya, Moi Avenue in the Nairobi CBD on June 25, 2024. (Photo: Ahmed Shafat)

By Mary Wambui | Tuesday, June 25, 2024

The association wants its members to remain alert on what is happening to be able to make informed decisions and route assessments before embarking on any movement.

The Long Distance Truck Drivers and Conductors' Association has issued a travel advisory to its members asking them to be extra vigilant on Tuesday and suspend operations if possible as anti-finance bill protests rock major towns across the country.

The association wants its members to remain alert on what is happening to be able to make informed decisions and route assessments before embarking on any movement for those who cannot postpone travel until the situation normalises.

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"We urge drivers to be extra careful today, if possible suspend operations for your own safety," a statement from the association says.

Kenyans from all walks of life have staged protests across major towns across the country calling for the rejection of the Finance Bill, 2024 which they term as punitive to citizens who are already cash-strained courtesy of prolonged harsh economic times.

"Do not attempt to navigate through large crowds or roadblocks. Maintain constant communication with your respective dispatch teams and fellow drivers. Share real-time information regarding road conditions and potential risks," the association implored.

Countrywide protests

The protests have hit the three cities of Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu and major towns including Kakamega, Nakuru, Mwingi, Kiambu, Nyamira, Bungoma, Machakos, Nyahururu and Kajiado amongst other places.

Anti-Finance Bill, 2024 #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests in Nairobi CBD pic.twitter.com/SXwlB3qdAC
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 25, 2024

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki said that the protests will not be tolerated after 6 pm as dictated by the Public Order Act.

"The Act accordance with the Public Order Act, Cap. 57, of the laws of Kenya, they must not provoke an attack, or injure or obstruct law enforcement officers or even members of the public. They must also follow the escorts and other guidelines of law enforcement officers to ensure they are protected from non-protesters," Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said yesterday ahead of today's demos.

At the same time, the Law Society of Kenya has claimed police are engaging in extrajudicial killings, abductions and torture during the ongoing protests.

LSK President Faith Odhiambo in her latest brief said reports indicate that about 50 young Kenyans have so far been abducted including her own personal assistant Ernest Nyerere who was picked up from his residence this morning at 5 am, Tuesday morning.

"We are still looking for Shadrack Kiprono aka Shad Khalif, Osama Otero, Grabriel Oguda, John Frank Githaiga, Drey Mwangi, Worldsmith, Hilla254 and many more who we are yet to identify," she said as she questioned the silence by members of the international community on the chaos in the country.