Outrage over decline of Mombasa growth should worry Jubilee

Outside the political campaign season, it is extremely difficult to get Kenyans to take to the streets to protest in significant numbers on any issue. However, when the grievance touches the stomach and the pocket, even those who have never shouted ‘Haki Yetu’ join demonstrations to express their discontent and desperation.

This was very evident on Monday when in solidarity, I joined those most affected by the undemocratic, unilateral directive of Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia to compel all cargo arriving at Mombasa port to be transported by the SGR to the inland port of Nairobi and soon on to Naivasha. The incredible dictate has left several thousand employees of container freight services (CFS) and transporters jobless overnight and rendered families penniless and unable to pay house rent or school fees for their children. Drivers, turn-boys, clerks, loaders as well as mechanics and engineers are all affected.