US Truck Owner Reveals KSh 280,000 Weekly Driver Pay as Kenyan-Owned Trucks Sit Idle

A Kenyan businessman based in the United States has revealed that truck drivers can earn approximately $2,500 (about KSh 280,000) per week, as some of his trucks remain parked due to a shortage of drivers.

The revelation was shared by Kenyan content creator Fanya Mambo Kinuthia during a visit to a truck yard in Kansas City, where he met fellow Kenyan businessman Ernest Modara.

Modara, who owns several long-haul trucks, including 53-foot trailers, explained that finding qualified drivers remains a challenge, leaving some of his vehicles idle.

How much can truck drivers earn in the US?

During their conversation, Kinuthia asked Modara about the amount truck drivers earn weekly.

Modara cited approximately $2,500 per week, equivalent to about KSh 280,000 at the exchange rate used in the report.

At that rate, a driver could earn approximately $10,000 over four weeks, equivalent to KSh 1.12 million before any applicable deductions or expenses.

However, actual earnings may vary depending on the employer, driving routes, hours worked, experience and payment arrangements. The figure should not be interpreted as a guaranteed salary for every truck driver in the United States.

The reported pay nevertheless drew attention to the employment opportunities available in America’s trucking industry, particularly among Kenyans seeking better-paying jobs abroad.

Despite owning several trucks, Modara reportedly has vehicles that remain parked because he has difficulty finding drivers to operate them.

Kinuthia argued that the situation highlights a potential opportunity for qualified Kenyan drivers who want to work abroad.

He suggested that the Kenyan government explore formal arrangements with the United States to help eligible drivers access employment opportunities through the appropriate immigration and work authorisation processes.

The proposal focuses on connecting employers who need drivers with qualified workers who can legally take up the available positions.

However, a reported shortage of drivers in a particular business or location does not automatically mean that foreign workers can obtain visas or work permits. Applicants must meet the relevant immigration, licensing and employment requirements.

Kinuthia urges government to explore overseas opportunities

Kinuthia called on Kenyan policymakers to consider negotiating arrangements that could help qualified drivers secure legitimate employment in the United States.

He questioned why trucks were sitting idle when Kenyan drivers could potentially fill some of the vacancies, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

His appeal centred on bilateral cooperation, arguing that overseas employment opportunities could complement efforts to create jobs locally.

Such arrangements would require engagement with US authorities, employers and relevant transport regulators to establish whether suitable legal pathways exist.

What Kenyan drivers should know before applying

Kenyans interested in American trucking jobs would need to establish whether an employer is hiring foreign workers and whether the position qualifies for an appropriate immigration pathway.

They would also need to meet applicable commercial driving licence requirements, which may involve obtaining the relevant US commercial driver’s licence and satisfying state-specific conditions.

Before paying recruitment fees or making travel arrangements, applicants should verify the employer, the employment contract, the proposed salary and the legality of the visa or work authorisation being offered.

The reported $2,500 weekly figure may attract interest, but prospective applicants should confirm whether it represents gross pay, take-home earnings or compensation under a particular driving arrangement.

For now, Kinuthia’s visit has brought attention to a potential link between the demand for truck drivers in parts of the United States and the search for better-paying employment among qualified Kenyans.

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