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Drivers, passengers stranded as Malaba traffic gridlock stretches into 45km
A statement by the Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya indicated that; “the additional verification process has significantly slowed cargo movement, resulting in the massive backlog.”
A massive traffic jam stretches for more than 45 kilometres along the Malaba–Bungoma highway, extending past Kanduyi and disrupting movement towards the Kenya–Uganda border on Tuesday. Courtesy photo.
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
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Hundreds of commuters and drivers have been left stranded along the Malaba-Bungoma highway in Kenya after Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) introduced a mandatory seals clearance for trucks destined to Internal Container Depots (ICDs) in Uganda.
Sources who spoke to the New Vision Online, confirmed that the massive traffic snarl-up had by Tuesday stretched to over 45 kilometres and had currently bypassed Kanduyi along the Malaba-Bungoma highway, disrupting movement towards Kenya's border with Uganda.
A statement by the Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya indicated that; “the additional verification process has significantly slowed cargo movement, resulting in the massive backlog.”
A statement by the Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association of Kenya indicated that; “the additional verification process has significantly slowed cargo movement, resulting in the massive backlog.”
The statement also said drivers are increasingly concerned about their personal safety and the security of their cargo. "There is lack of ablution and sanitation facilities along the affected stretch; drivers are facing fatigue and exhaustion after being stranded for extended hours on top of delays that continue to disrupt regional trade and transport operations," the statement said.
The drivers urged authorities to intervene urgently to streamline the clearance process, improve traffic flow, and ensure the welfare and safety of drivers caught up in the gridlock.
Efforts to get a comment from URA on the allegations today morning proved futile as calls and messages to the authority's spokesperson, Robert Kalumba, went unanswered.
The drivers urged authorities to intervene urgently to streamline the clearance process, improve traffic flow, and ensure the welfare and safety of drivers caught up in the gridlock.
Efforts to get a comment from URA on the allegations today morning proved futile as calls and messages to the authority's spokesperson, Robert Kalumba, went unanswered.