By M, KNA
A long-distance truck driver was on Wednesday morning found dead behind the wheel of his vehicle in Amagoro, along the Bungoma–Malaba highway.
Teso North Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer (CIO) Wesley Lagat confirmed that the middle-aged driver, whose identity is yet to be established, was ferrying a load of clinker to Tororo in Uganda when his journey suddenly ended near Amagoro at around 3am.
Lagat said the body was taken to Kocholia Funeral Home, while the truck was moved to the Amagoro Police Patrol Base.
He added that Investigations are ongoing to determine what caused the death.
“A post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish whether the deceased had any underlying medical conditions,” Lagat said.
Locals and fellow drivers said the incident was shocking and heartbreaking.
On the morning of the incident, heavy traffic had forced trucks to stop for hours, with the queue stretching past Kocholia.
When the traffic finally eased the vehicles started moving, other drivers noticed one truck remained unusually standstill.
“We hooted several times, thinking the driver had dozed off, but the truck did not move at all. That’s when we knew something was wrong,” said one truck driver who asked not to be named.
He stepped out to check the cabin and was shocked to find the deceased slumped over the steering wheel. “I touched him and realized he was not breathing. That was very disturbing,” he said.
A resident of Amagoro who was at the scene, John Epalat, described the moment as heartbreaking.
“These drivers struggle a lot. They sleep in their trucks, eat poorly, and are always under pressure to deliver goods on time. This could happen to anyone,” he said.
Truck drivers who spoke to KNA said the incident highlighted the risks they face on long journeys across borders.
“Most people see the goods, not the human being driving,” said another long-distance driver. “Many of us have health issues, but we keep going because families depend on us.”
Police said this was the first incident of a driver being found dead behind the wheel in the area.