By The Weekly Vision Team
The ongoing chaos at the Busia and Malaba One-Stop Border Posts (OBSPs) is creating severe traffic snarl-ups consisting of stranded cargo trucks. The root of the problem lies with the station managers who are known for demanding huge bribes, according to sources in Busia. The situation at the two border towns has reached critical levels, with truck drivers and their assistants being robbed of their valuables by armed thugs day and night.
There have been numerous reports from victims of theft, with robbers making off with large sums of in Kenyan and foreign denominations, mobile phones, valuable navigation equipment, and other high-end truck accessories. These thefts are accompanied by threats of violence, leaving the truckers in dire situations.
The trucks, some of which transport cargo to destinations in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi, and Southern Sudan from the port of Mombasa, are experiencing severe delays. The most affected are the Busia and Malaba border points, where trucks have been accumulating since last week. Station Managers James Maina at Busia and Paul Nyaga at Malaba have been criticized for their inaction, as the clearance process for these trucks is significantly slower than necessary.
As the truck backlog continues to grow, so do the incidents of robbery and vandalism. This is leading to communication breakdowns between truck drivers with head offices and support units, leaving the truckers stranded without the means to maintain their vehicles or access cash.
The Chairman of the Truckers Association, Mr Tanui, stated: “Since the departure of former Busia Station Manager Joachim Mwawasi, conditions have worsened dramatically. James Maina’s response to these pressing issues has been both arrogant and ineffective.”
Mr Tanui continued: “The most alarming issue is the ongoing theft and vandalism of our trucks and valuables. This is happening along the Malaba-Eldoret and Busia-Kisumu highways. We urgently need security measures to protect our drivers and their cargo from further destruction.”
Maalim Mohammed, a victim transporting goods to South Sudan, reported that he was robbed of over USD 50,450 during a daylight attack while on a truck backlog. His mobile phone was stolen, and a truck was vandalized, leaving him stranded far from his destination in Juba. “My turn-boy and I were helpless as armed robbers ransacked our pockets and truck before leaving. We are now stuck and uncertain about how we will reach Juba and make our return,” Mohammed said.
Joseph Kariuki, another victim on the Busia-Kisumu highway, expressed concern that robbers might soon target their cargo, particularly high-value items like petroleum products, which are lucrative on the black market.
When contacted for comment, the station managers cited technical problems with their scanners and computer systems as the reason for the delays. “We are working to resolve these issues, but for more detailed information, please contact our headquarters in Nairobi,” said Mr. Maina.
The Busia County Commissioner acknowledged the situation and promised a swift response. He assured that additional security would be deployed to protect truckers and that investigations would be launched to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
