This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
On Thursday, Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Transport to address concerns over the government's directive to transport all cargo from Mombasa to Nairobi through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
Published on August 8, 2019, the directive had sparked controversy, with some MPs from the Coastal region claiming it could paralyze the region's economy. However, CS Macharia denied these allegations, providing statistics that the SGR has created more jobs.
According to CS Macharia, ferrying cargo through SGR is much cheaper than via road, and the government is not trying to make a monopoly. He noted that the order had been suspended to allow for more consultations, although he insisted that prior consultations had been done before issuing the directive.
"We did consultations, but we have withdrawn the order because we want to carry along everyone, we are not trying to make a monopoly, all we are doing to provide effective transport," the CS told the David Pkosing-led Committee.
Emotions ran high during the session, with MPs from the Coastal region clashing with some members of the Transport Committee over the directive. Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua clashed with Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir after he claimed that those opposing the order were trying to protect their personal interests.
The CS requested for three weeks to conclude consultations before making a final decision.
