An Inquiry Ordered Into SGR Cargo Transport Saga

Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) directive that importers of cargo transport their cargo via the SGR to Nairobi caused an uproar by business and truck owners in Mombasa and has compelled parliament to open an inquiry on the same.

The national Assembly deputy Speaker, Moses Cheboi has asked the House’s Transport committee seek clarification about the SGR directive to quell the confusion.

He said that he sought to know from the ministry of transport whether the ministry’s suspension order has been implemented or not as it has been a problem for months now since it was first announced.

“We want to have a stand. I would like the Parliamentary committee of Transport to have a meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Mr. James Macharia, on Thursday (September 26^th), so that he tells us the ministry’s position on this matter,” said Deputy Speaker Mr. Cheboi.

The Parliamentary Committee of Transport led by its chairman David Pkosing had earlier in August held a meeting with the ministry of transport where it was said that the order had been lifted.

Reporting to the house, Transport Committee chairman Mr. Pkosing had said that the CS attended the meeting in person and confirmed to everyone present that the order had been lifted.

“He attended the meeting himself and confirmed that the directive that had been signed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) had been suspended and even made public through the media,” said Pkosing.

Other members of parliament, led by Garissa Town MP Aden Duale agreed with Pkosing’s report that the order had been lifted and announced through the mainstream media.

“The order was lifted. I wonder why there is confusion. Coastal region MPs should state their reasons for their keen interest in the matter because now it is not genuine,” said Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa referring to Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir who had demanded that the committee provides evidence that the order was indeed lifted.

“I have evidence that is contrary to what the committee is presenting. The chair is either misleading us or was made to mislead us. He should provide us with facts,” said Mvita MP.

The directive on SGR has caused friction as business people and truckers accuse the government of rendering them jobless.