Busia County gov't suspends entry fee for long distance trucks after standoff

The county government of Busia has suspended the entry fee for long distance trucks in a bid to allow time for dialogue with the necessary stakeholders.

Speaking after meeting with the national leadership of the Kenya Transporters Association, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma said that despite the vacation, the drivers will still have to pay parking fees within the county to facilitate the delivery of essential services such as sanitation and emergency services.

Truck drivers had earlier this week blocked the Eldoret-Malaba Highway, protesting the Ksh.400 entry fee that was introduced by the Busia County Government.

The fee was introduced following the ratification of the Busia County Finance Act 2024, which sought to enhance the county’s revenue streams.

"We have put on hold the law on the issue of entry fee but we allow that parking fees within the municipality must be paid but the county will strive to provide services," Otuoma said.

"The immediate ones that can be done others will be long term like the issue of having trailer parks…the association will communicate to members and ourselves we will engage other multi government agencies to see how we can roll out what we have agreed on."

Newton Wang'oo, the Kenya Transporters Association chairman, vowed to support the Busia County Government in its mandate, emphasising that the unity would address the issues within the transport sector in the county.

"We will support the county government because we need them. They are uniquely placed because of the area border point and they need to collect revenue," he said.

"The only issue we had is that we think revenue should be collected fairly and only for services offered so we will continue to engage them further to check for any modalities and help that they require from us."