This archive report was first published on 25 October 2019.
Mombasa Economy on Brink of Collapse ¶
The Mombasa business community is in crisis mode as the government's restrictions on cargo transportation via the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) have brought the economy to the brink of collapse.
According to a study commissioned by the Mombasa County Government and conducted by the University of Nairobi, the restrictions have resulted in a loss of Sh17.4 billion in revenue since their implementation.
The Fast Action Business Community Movement (FABCOM), a lobby group representing the interests of the business community, has come out strongly against the restrictions, which they claim have caused significant losses and job losses.
In a petition to the President, FABCOM has called for a free market policy that would allow traders to operate freely without state restrictions.
However, the government has responded by suspending the restrictions, only to have FABCOM insist that the suspension is not enough and that the restrictions should be lifted in entirety.
Despite the government's assurances that normalcy has been restored at the port, cargo delays are still being reported, and lives have yet to return to normalcy.
The business community has dismissed the government's claims as a fallacy and part of a broader propaganda machinery put in place to discredit the protests.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, the business community is calling on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue to find a solution to the crisis.
Meanwhile, the government has been accused of engaging in high-level propaganda to discredit the protests, including hiring strangers to pose as businessmen who are satisfied with the suspension directive.
The Standard Media has also come under criticism for its recent exposé on Transport CS James Macharia, which was labeled as 'fake news' by paid bloggers.
CS Najib Balala has also been accused of making baseless allegations against the business community, including claims that CFSs are being used for moving drugs and ivory trade.
As the situation continues to unfold, the business community remains resolute in its fight against the SGR restrictions, calling on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue to find a solution to the crisis.
