This is the untold story of long distance truck drivers whose lives are always at high risk from armed robbers targeting the goods they ferry.

We meet Jack Kinuthia, a Nakuru long distance independent truck driver who has been in this business for a decade.

Kinuthia narrates how he had always been a victim of theft until he learnt the value of vigilance, beneath the moonlight expanse of a remote truck stop.

Mr Kinuthia says “My cargo holds not only goods but precious fuel that attracts most of the robbers. With that, in the wary of the shadowy figures that lurk the night, I devised a unique strategy from robbers.”

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Mr Kinuthia parks his truck strategically, positioning it under the soft glow of a flickering streetlight in one of the centres. He then descends from the cabin and crouches beneath the massive frame of his truck.

“In the dim space beneath the chassis, I unfold a makeshift bedroll. While sleeping, the scent of diesel lingers in the air, setting a reminder of the potent liquid I’m guarding,” he states.

Regardless of the occasional rumble of footsteps echoing nearby, Mr Kinuthia’s presence beneath the truck always remains undetected.

“The thieves that attack in the dark hours of the night, lately have been walking away empty handed and disappointed after many of us (truck drivers) devised this new way of protecting our cargo.”

On the other hand, we meet Paul Githura, chairman of Shell petrol station in Nakuru.

Mr Githura says “As a company, to ensure the safety of our truck drivers, we have equipped all our trucks with an array of CCTV cameras and cutting edge gadgets to ensure our cargo reaches the destination safely.”

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"In this modern and technologically advanced tracking world, the days of rampant fuel and cargo theft are fading into history, thanks to a robust system of monitoring and surveillance.” he adds.

Mr Githura concludes that not being an independent body, Shell company have also restricted working hours for their truck drivers to be 6am to 6pm. This he affirms is strictly adhered to.

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Nakuru truck drivers devise cunning ways to keep off robbers

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Winnie Kimani