THE CALL TO ACTION.

“Finally it’s back, securing back our jobs and the normalcy of maintaining ourselves like  human beings..” that is what many if not most of the Mombasa residents have at the peak of their minds. And yes, they are talking about the Kenya Port Authority (KPA) and services being rendered . The Mombasa port is prized as a national asset for Kenya. Not only does it facilitate the country’s shipping trade but also serves as a strategic asset for the East African region as it’s the busiest port, serving a lot of countries particularly the landlocked ones I.e Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo among others.

Back in the year 2018, after the completion of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) it was expected to ferry cargo directly from the port to the Inland Containers Depot. However, the Government directive to have all the cargos transported by the rail to Naivasha and Nairobi, led to utter chaos to a number of citizens as jobs were lost.

A lot viewed the completion of Mombasa-Nairobi railway (SGR) project as the most significant railway channel linking to the coastal city of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi as a great opportunity to deliver for the counties. The directive  also acted a like a seesaw; on one hand creating job opportunities and on the other denying access to jobs.

Undoubtedly, Mombasa residents are highly impressed by the first move H.E president William Ruto took and are certain that he will deliver whatever he promised. President Ruto has ordered the reversion of the key port logistics service to Mombasa port, a strategic move for restoring the lost jobs, creation of new and reviving of economy for the county and country at large. 

According to the research By the University of Nairobi, here are some the  impacts the SGR Operationalization had : 

Positive impacts.

• Environmental protection — The huge reduction of road traffic will reduce distillate consumption, climate change management initiatives. It has also increase safety on the roads due to reduced traffic.
• Decongesting Mombasa City — There is a good number of reduces trucks in Mombasa roads accessing the port through changamwe, Shimanzi.
• Tourism promotion.

Negative impact.

1. Increase crime rates and social ills 
2. Job loss( Loaders, drivers, hotel attendants)
3. Impact on warehousing business 
4. Closure of trucking businesses 
5. Roadside businesses- activity contraction 
6. Mombasa county revenue.

Fellow citizens await for the full functionality of the Mombasa port as they have high hopes that Mombasa will gradually grow and be one of the developed cities.