Werner Enterprises has dismissed claims that it is recruiting truck drivers from Kenya to work in the United States.
The Nebraska-based logistics company released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, September 10.
The post read:
“Werner has not signed or discussed any agreement for the recruitment of Kenyan truck drivers to the United States. Any claims suggesting otherwise are just false.”
Social Media Backlash
The statement came after days of speculation on social media. Many Americans, especially those in Nebraska, expressed fears that Kenyan drivers would take over local trucking jobs.
In 2024, a Kenyan delegation visited Nebraska. The group met local officials and also toured Werner’s Omaha headquarters. This visit sparked rumors of a recruitment partnership. However, no official deal was announced at the time.
Labour Mobility Deal
The speculation intensified on September 4. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen travelled to Nairobi, where he signed a Labour Mobility and Diaspora Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
He signed the agreement with Roseline Njogu, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs. President William Ruto witnessed the deal.
The MoU was described as a major step in creating legal job opportunities for Kenyans in key sectors such as healthcare and transport.
Speaking in Nairobi, Evnen said:
“We have commercial truck drivers already who are being trained, partially in Kenya, and then they complete their training in Nebraska.”
Clarification from Werner
Although Evnen did not name Werner, many social media users linked the company to the deal. This is what pushed Werner to issue its denial.
The company confirmed that while it had hosted the Kenyan delegation, there was no discussion about employment or driver recruitment.
What Next?
The Nebraska–Kenya agreement still stands. It is expected to open doors for Kenyans in U.S. industries. However, Werner Enterprises has made it clear that it is not recruiting Kenyan truck drivers at this time.
