Jomvu DCC Dolphine Okondo [3rd L, front row], MP Badi Twalib and DRC honorary consul in Mombasa Kambale Mukokoma [with golden Ruto bust] in Twalib’s Jomvu office on Monday / BRIAN OTIENO
The journey from the Mombasa port to the Democratic Republic of Congo is more than a long haul across borders for most Kenyan drivers.
It is a livelihood that can quickly become a source of fear when an accident, arrest or confrontation turns a routine delivery into a diplomatic headache.
Kenyan and Congolese authorities are seeking to ease those fears as the two countries deepen diplomatic and business ties, with driver safety emerging as a key concern.
Jomvu MP Badi Twalib on Monday said he was pushing for Kenya and the DRC to find a lasting solution to challenges faced by truck drivers from both countries.
“I assure our Kenyan truck drivers that they will be
safe in the DRC and the Congolese truck drivers will be safe in Kenya,” Twalib
said.
He spoke during a meeting with a delegation of the Congolese business community led by their honorary consul in Mombasa, Kambale Mukokoma, at his office in Jomvu.
Twalib said the two countries should pursue a mutually beneficial relationship and called on drivers from both sides to continue working together.
But while the diplomatic assurances offer hope, drivers
say individual cases could quickly reignite tensions.
Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers and Allied Workers Union chairman for Mombasa Roman Waema said drivers have no problem with the DRC, noting that they had already signed an agreement with the Governor of North Kivu for their protection in the region. Most of the drivers deliver goods in Goma which is located in the North Kivu region.
However, Waema urged the DRC government to help secure the release of a Kenyan driver arrested in Beni after a Congolese cargo off-loader died while unloading goods delivered by the driver.
Waema said the driver had safely delivered window panes and glass to the owner, who had organised the unloading.
“During the offloading, some of the glass windows accidentally fell on one of the off-loaders and the off-loader died,” Waema said.
“Our driver was arrested. Why was he arrested for an accident that he had nothing to do with? This issue might revive the tensions that had been suppressed,” he warned.
Waema also challenged Kenyan police to stop harassing Congolese drivers.
“It is not that our police are angels. They harass, extort and mishandle Congolese drivers. This should stop,” he said.
Twalib said such tensions would become a thing of the past once the two governments concluded their talks.
The discussions will also address the stalled construction of a liaison office in Goma, which Twalib said would help Kenyan businesses tap into the vast DRC market.
He called on President William Ruto to work with his DRC counterpart Felix Tshisekedi to fast-track the opening of the office, saying its establishment had been hampered by disturbances in the region.
Goma, the capital and largest city of North Kivu, is on the northern shore of Lake Kivu, next to Rwanda’s Gisenyi. It is currently controlled by M23 rebels.
Twalib said the two governments could explore ways of establishing the liaison office in an area under government control.
“Instead of our businessmen moving from Mombasa to the DRC to look for business, there will be someone to do that for them in Goma, and save costs,” he said.
He added that works were ongoing to establish a similar office in Beni, a major agricultural and commercial hub in North Kivu.
Mukokoma welcomed the assurances of safety for Congolese drivers in Kenya.
“That is why we are here. To ensure the safety and interests of our people and businesses are intact,” he said.
He said dialogue remained the best way of resolving disputes and noted that much of the cargo passing through the Port of Mombasa is destined for eastern DRC.
Jomvu deputy county commissioner Dolphine Okondo also assured Kenyan and Congolese truck drivers of their safety.
“We always implement what is agreed upon,” she said.
Twalib said improved roads and changes at the Port of Mombasa were also making the trade route more attractive.
He cited expansion of the Jomvu road and improvements along the Rironi-Mau Summit route towards Uganda and the DRC as part of efforts to strengthen regional trade links.
He also credited Kenya Ports Authority managing director Captain William Ruto with reviewing cargo clearance grace periods.
Previously, Uganda and South Sudan were allowed 15 days, while the DRC had nine days. Following lobbying by the Congolese business community, the period was reviewed and all three countries are now allowed 15 days.
Twalib urged Congolese businesses to continue using the Port of Mombasa, saying improved infrastructure and the return of port operations to Mombasa had helped lower the cost of doing business.
Instant Analysis:
Kenya’s total exports to the DRC reached approximately USD235.9 million (about Sh30.5 billion) in 2024, maintaining a heavily skewed trade balance in Kenya’s favour. This was driven by products such as wheat flour, manufactured goods, and refined items. The DRC has emerged as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing export destinations within the East African Community bloc following its admission.
