Bamburi Cement has partnered with Isuzu East Africa for the fourth edition of their Women on Wheels (WoW) program seeking to recruit, train and place 50 female truck drivers in Kenya in 2023.

The number has increased from the 21 female drivers trained and placed in jobs in 2022 with Bamburi planning to expand the program to other like-minded organizations in Kenya.

The firms being eyed include EABL, Coca-Cola, Unilever, BAT, Vivo Energy and Total Energies to progressively bridge the gender gap and attract more women into professional trucking.

The 2023 application closes on April 5, followed by training from April 24-28.

Eligible candidates must have a driving license Class A, B, C and E, at least five years of experience in driving commercial vehicles, a KCSE certificate and a certificate of good conduct.

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Bamburi Cement Managing Director Seddiq Hassani urged the private sector to partner on training projects to combat stereotypes that show truck driving as a men-only profession.

“The private sector needs to attract more female drivers into the profession by treating them as capable and valued professional drivers,” ,” said Seddiq.

He added, “We are committed to working with our partners to scale this initiative and close the gender gap in this profession as part of good citizenship and our sustainability programs under Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and Health, Safety and Environment Agenda.”

Seddiq Hassani. PHOTO/COURTESY

Women on Wheels was launched in December 2021 and has so far trained and deployed qualified women truck drivers in key positions with Bamburi and other logistics partners.

Bamburi transporters has absorbed eight female drivers in the cement and clinker flow, while nine others have been deployed to Bamburi transport trucks.

The WOW initiative takes women through intensive technical training on heavy truck operation, including simulator exercises, road safety and soft skills training and mentoring.

According to Flone Initiative, Kenyan women account for only 10 per cent of the public transport workforce, majority working as matatu drivers in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.