MORE LOSSES THAN PROFITS IN MOMBASA...

The first phase of the Standard Gauge Railway(SGR) connecting Mombasa and Nairobi was launched by His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta on 31st May 2017, a project that cost KSH 327 billion, funded by the Chinese. The project which was to reduce the time spent by bus from 8 hours to 4 hours was received with jubilation by Kenyans, many as a breakthrough. The first few months into action and everything was running smoothly until the joy slowly started fading away; long-distance truck drivers were calling for demonstrations, hotel operators and businesses were shutting down, bus organizations were counting losses.

File/citizentv.co.ke Uhuru Kenyatta launches the SGR

Container Freight Stations(CFS) have turned Mombasa into a ghost town, residents are incensed thereby stripping its economic prowess. Long-distance truck drivers from the coast region through their union Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers said their source of income had been hampered with since the SGR freight service started its operations. A directive by CS Transport James Macharia that all cargo to be moved directly via the train meant families rendered homeless and penniless. In a single trip to Nairobi, the cargo train carries around 1000 containers which means 1000 drivers and other assistants are jobless. The drivers through their unions made numerous demonstrations vowing to paralyze SGR operations until the government came to terms with them all to vain. Drivers, turn-boys, loaders, mechanics, and clerks have been affected.

file/standardmedia.co.ke Truck Drivers from Mombasa led by their
                              leaders protest over SGR operations

Small scale business operators and hotel owners have recently been expressing their dissatisfaction since the SGR started its operations. the train service which connects Nairobi and Mombasa directly without any pit-stops means the sellers have only a few customers using buses, private cars and few trucks still in operation. Joint food restaurants, especially at Mtito Andei, have witnessed a major setback ripping profits only when schools are closing or opening or during the holiday seasons.
Bus companies plying the Nairobi-Mombasa route questioned the government over the low fares charged by the SGR that saw their businesses lose customers; between Sh700 and Sh 3000 while the buses charged between Sh900 and Sh2200. Other operators are forced to look for new routes like Kampala and Kigali while the remaining firms are forced to pump more cash to at least compete with SGR, for example, Tahmeed which invested some 12VIP buses each worth over KSh26million.

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