This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
On October 1, 2019, Mombasa MPs and residents took to the streets to protest against a directive to importers to move all containers headed to Nairobi by the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). The directive, seen as a deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, has attracted the wrath of many Mombasa residents and the leaders some of whom are very close to Governor Joho.
According to Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, the policy was rescinded on paper, but it is still being implemented on the ground. Nassir joined the protestors on Moi Avenue and refuted claims that Coast legislators were financing the protestors.
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi claimed that Mombasa residents had nothing to celebrate, given that most businesses had collapsed due to the transport directive by the State. Mwinyi announced plans to mobilise residents to boycott this year's Mashujaa Day to be presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the newly refurbished Mama Ngina Grounds in Mombasa.
Senator Mohamed Faki also supported the calls to boycott Mashujaa Day, while Nassir hoped the issue would be resolved before October 20. Faki vowed to use all available means to fight the battle, including street protests and taking the issue to the Supreme Court.
Nyali MP Mohamed Ali criticised unnamed Mombasa leaders of secretly working with the national government to enforce SGR's monopoly. Ali accused some leaders of being hypocrites who have been sitting with people keen to kill Mombasa's economy.
