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.
The dream SGR project has turned into a nightmare with many small businesses closing down and rendering thousands jobless. That is why up to a thousand of those most affected took to the streets last Monday. The protests will most likely continue until that decision is reversed. Based on research done by the Business School of the University of Nairobi, Mombasa is at ‘economic decaying point’ with a drop of earnings of 8.4 per cent last year and no doubt that figure will vastly increase for 2019.
The SGR was paraded as a 21st century project that would lift Kenya out of the doldrums and onto the world stage as an economic powerhouse. However, when its price was inflated and the contract with Chinese investors kept secret the writing was on the wall. Despite a glitzy launch it soon proved to be a loss making enterprise.
So to ensure that enough income was collected to pay off the Chinese loans Mr Macharia has forced transporters off the road in a move that has killed the spirit of competitive business and given the SGR the complete monopoly on shifting goods that enter Mombasa port. The directive was not based on any law and is rightly contested in the high court. In effect the CS is attempting to compel the poor to pay the price for the looting, mismanagement and gross incompetency of the elites in Jubilee who planned this grand deception.
Mombasa has expanded around its two great attractions the port and the beach. With the demise of international tourism since the Al Shabaab threat, the beach hotels struggle to survive on seasonal domestic tourists, conferences and seminars. Tourism is just as much in decline in Mombasa as the port and the city has lost its former glory and glitter.
What is most worrying however about the demise of the country’s second city is the indifference of its elected leaders to the tribulations and persecution of the citizens. Governor Joho may have been one of the first to question the projected benefits of the SGR. However, in recent times his silence is seen as a betrayal of voters.
In February, the media reported how his family run CFS Autoport Freight Terminals was granted an 80 per cent discount for 10 years on transporting goods to Nairobi on the SGR. More recently, reports that he has been granted space alongside Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame in the dry port of Naivasha - whose land ownership is also hotly contested - have not been denied by Mr Joho. Voters feel betrayed but are afraid to say that out loud hoping against hope that the once firebrand may find his voice again. Many believe, however, that he is just another beneficiary of handshake politics.
The Mvita MP has made appearances at the protest but the matter has not garnered the support of the other legislators, Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani, nor the city’s MCAs who are best known for bench marking at sports events but contribute nothing towards improving the city. What is most interesting about the protest movement is that it is founded, funded and led by the people.
Jubilee and its new friends should be concerned with the momentum behind the movement as there is unity in cause and purpose. Soon they will demonstrate at SGR itself. However, if necessary this movement can go the way of the Makonde and walk all the way to State House if their cries are not heard and responded to. At least that is a better option than joining Al Shabaab or Pwani si Kenya. Mombasa is Kenya and it deserves justice and jobs.
- Gabriel Dolan [email protected] @GabrielDolan1
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