SGR freight service killing Kenyan Coast economy

[John Ashworth]

Study shows SGR freight service killing the Coast economy

The government lost more than Sh126 billion in revenue in one year from Mombasa County since the introduction of freight trains, according to a new study released on Friday.

The study by the University of Nairobi (UoN) also revealed that more than 60 per cent of employees working at the Container Freight Stations (CFSs) were sacked over the same period.

The study further revealed that the coastal county is at “economic decay point”, with CFSs, long-distance trucks and transport related businesses such as fuelling and service stations mostly affected.

Presenting the assessment report on the socio-economic impact of the operationalisation of the standard gauge railway (SGR), UoN acting deputy vice chancellor, Prof Julius Ogeng'o, said the study shows the project has more negative effects on the economy of coastal people than good...