MOST DANGEROUS WORM ON THE COASTAL SOIL

President Kenyatta flagging off the SGR train.
Photo courtesy of Google

"From now onwards, it would only take 5 hrs to travel from Mombasa to Nairobi and at the most lowest affordable price." This statement brought joy to travelers who use the Mombasa-Nairobi rouute as they will not only spend less time on transit but also save them money during this tough economic situation in the country. The Standard Guage Railway. It's coming also so our youths get employment opportunities as part of it's cabin crew.

Female train drivers.
Photo courtesy of Google

Part of the the cabin crew members.
Photo courtesy of Google

Although the railway came with these goodies for the citizens, the country's economy especially the Mombasa economy is on the verge of death. Discussed below are the negative impacts on the coastal economy as brought by SGR;

The port, which serves as the leading revenue collector for Mombasa County, has been directly attacked by the railway. The port is suffering a slow and painful death. This comes with the announcement that the transportation of containers be done through the SGR, which in turn has resulted to loss of jobs for employees working at Container Freight Stations. If correct measures are not put in place fast, the port will be singing a different song come two years.

SGR Cargo Shipping Train.
Photo courtesy of Google

Second, though the railway opened up job opportunities, it is also the cause job loses in the county. The transport sector is the one paying this price as firms are now laying off drivers since a small amount of cargo at the port is bound for coast region and the remaining destined for Nairobi and other African countries. The fims, except those at the Coast, have then resorted to the use of SGR to transport their cargo hence firring their drivers thus resulting to loss of jobs and employment opportunities.

Hotels, lodgings, fuel stations and garages along the Northern Corridor have closed down. This is due to lack of customers who where majorly comprised of the long distance truck drivers. There are no more trucks to be fueled at the fuel stations and to be serviced at the garages. Also there are no more people to eat and a pass their nights at the hotels and lodgings hence their collapse. This is due to the directive of the government, stating that all cargo be transported via the rail. Consequently, it has resulted to the lose of billions of revenue to the County Government of Mombasa.

Photo courtesy of Google

Market disruption is also another disadvantage brought about by the rail. Many traveling companies along the Coast are counting losses and others have closed down due to stiff compention and lack of market. This is because alot of long distance passengers now opt to travel by the Standard Guage Railway because of its efficiency and affordability compared to the buses and shuttles which they say are expensive and slow.

Lastly, the cost f living in the Coast has drastically shot up. This comes with the introduction of VAT on zero rated items. The County Government opted for this measure in order to compansate the  revenue lost due to the introduction and use of the Standard Guage Railway. The poor citizens are the ones now paying the price.

Author
Kageha Deborah