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🚛 Is Nebraska Trying to Recruit Truck Drivers from Kenya?

This past week on X (Twitter) has been buzzing. When it comes to the “driver shortage” narrative, it’s almost like a game of whack-a-mole. As Truckers and well researched individuals debunk local media, more media articles pop up with this driver shortage nonsense. An article began making its rounds among FreightX this past week regarding a controversial deal between Nebraska and Kenya which would open the door for foreign truck drivers to fill American seats.

The first reports came from from Kenyan outlets like Kenya Insights and The Kenyan Diaspora Media, claiming Nebraska had signed a “labor mobility” agreement specifically targeting truck drivers. Pictures circulated of Kenyan officials meeting with Werner Enterprises in Omaha, and quotes attributed to Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen touted U.S. “driver shortages” as the justification.

Seasoned veteran trucker, Tale Liter, and writer Gord Magill pointed out in his substack, Nebraska’s deal isn’t happening in a vacuum. Grand Island Express, a smaller Nebraska carrier, hosted a Kenyan delegation earlier this year. Local media even filmed prospective recruits touring their facilities. Meanwhile, outfits like IWS Trucking in Aurora, NE, openly market training programs tailored to foreign recruits, programs Gord describes as “bare bones,” fast tracking individuals through CDL testing with little preparation for U.S. road realities like snow, mountain grades, or urban traffic.

Gord’s argument is that this isn’t about fixing a shortage. The real problem has always been retention: trucking burns through drivers at an alarming rate because of poor pay and brutal working conditions. Rather than address that, companies and state officials are eyeing overseas labor as a cheap alternative despite America being in a freight recession, with too many trucks and slower demand. In his words:

He also links Nebraska’s trade mission to agricultural giants like JBS Foods, a company repeatedly investigated for labor exploitation. Gord warns trucking is being folded into the same low wage immigrant model long used in meatpacking and farm labor.

Not Just Gord sounded the alarm, Land Line Magazine and OOIDA agree.

Land Line dug into the paper trail. Here’s what they found:

• Yes, Nebraska signed an MOU with Kenya. The text of the agreement is broad, covering trade, agriculture, and “lawful temporary migration” for apprenticeships. It does not specifically mention truck drivers.

• Kenyan media emphasized trucking. Their reports quoted Evnen suggesting the deal began with CDL drivers. His office, however, denies this emphasis.

• Werner Enterprises met with Kenyan officials in 2024. But the carrier says no commitments were made and it has not pursued any recruitment from Kenya. CEO Derek Leathers went on social media to stress Werner “did not, do not, and will not” bring in drivers on visas.

• Governor distances himself. Gov. Jim Pillen said the MOU was signed solely by Evnen, is nonbinding, and does not represent state policy. Nebraska’s DMV also confirmed they will only license individuals with lawful U.S. status.

• OOIDA weighs in. President Todd Spencer called the agreement “an attempt to import cheap labor based on the absurd claim of a driver shortage.” He emphasized the real issue is carriers’ unwillingness to pay and treat drivers fairly.

So, What’s Really Happening?

Right now, no Kenyan truck drivers are being recruited into Nebraska fleets. Werner is publicly out. The governor is skeptical. The MOU itself doesn’t name trucking.

But Gord is right to flag what’s happening beneath the surface: a state experimenting with trade deals that could pave the way for importing drivers, while local training outfits quietly build pipelines for foreign labor. And all of this is happening in an industry already flooded with capacity and plagued by churn.

Nebraska may not be importing Kenyan drivers yet, but a conversation happening means groundwork is being laid. The bigger story is how the “driver shortage” myth continues to justify policies and business practices that sidestep, and undercut American truckers.

I want to hear from you! For Driver Submissions, questions, and comments contact me at: [email protected] or Text me directly at 423-275-2444

Drive When You’re Loaded…Properly

Check out this excerpt from a 1966 Edition of Tale Lites on how to make sure you’re properly loaded!

🚨 $1.4M Cargo Theft Bust in California With Help From Overhaul

Cargo theft is on the rise and getting more dialed in, but so is some of the tech used to stop it.

Last week in California, police recovered $1.4 million worth of stolen electronics thanks to monitoring from Overhaul, a cargo security and risk management platform.

Here’s what happened

1. A truckload of computers was stolen Wednesday morning from a yard in San Bernardino County.

2. Overhaul’s shipment monitoring system flagged unusual movement before the load was even scheduled to depart.

3. Their LE Connect team immediately contacted law enforcement, feeding live tracking and sensor data to units on the ground.

4. Police traced the trailer to Compton, where they recovered the stolen goods.

They didn’t just find electronics though, true to the name OVERHAUL, they hauled in:

• An AK-47 and an AR-15

• High-capacity magazines

• About two pounds of meth

• Seven stolen vehicles

• And arrested eight suspects tied to organized crime.

Overhaul says this bust shows why real time visibility and compliance monitoring are key for keeping freight safe. The company advises shippers of high value loads to:

• Vet all brokers and carriers carefully

• Document drivers, tractors, and trailers in detail

• Capture photos of VINs, CDLs, and identifying markings, and confirm they match paperwork before release

With organized theft rings becoming more aggressive, tools like Overhaul’s are proving critical in protecting some high dollar freight before it finds its way to the black market.

My take on this though is that cargo theft has been able to rise due to technology in the first place. As everyone wants to “streamline” everything, the cost cutting and boost in efficiency allow criminals to operate in plain sight. Since we have deregulated the industry and so much is tied overseas, solving freight fraud and cargo theft is going to be a long fight.

Health Tip of the Week - Shoulder Mobility

Last week we talked knees, but what about your shoulders? Shoulders take a beating from long hours of driving, loading, and tarping, and stiff shoulders can turn into nagging pain if you’re not being mindful. A few minutes of mobility work each day coupled with your regular exercise can keep you dialed.

1. Shoulder Rolls: While sitting, roll your shoulders up, back, and down in a slow circle. Do 10 reps forward, 10 back.

2. Doorway Stretch: Place your hands on both sides of a doorway, step through gently, and feel the chest and shoulders open up. Hold 20–30 seconds.

3. Arm Swings: Stand tall and swing your arms across your chest like giving yourself a hug, then open wide. 20 reps loosens up tight muscles.

4.  Band Pull-Apart (if you keep a resistance band in the cab): Hold the band at chest height and pull it apart until arms are stretched wide. 2–3 sets of 10.

Keeping your shoulders mobile makes climbing in and out of the cab, strapping or tarping a load, and even just holding the wheel for hours way easier on your body long term.

Partner Post of the Week

Check out our Partner Ilya Denisenko and his tour of one of our locations! Use the promo code icvpark20 for $20 off your next booking!

Truck Parking Club Partner Program

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