Transport CS James Macharia on Thursday, October 3, announced the suspension of the order forcing traders to transport cargo using the SGR.
The CS suspended the order to allow for talks among the necessary parties.
He stated that the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Kenya Ports Authority had not consulted each other on the decision.
Earlier today, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho, among other officials from the State Department of Interior and Coordination, the State Department of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Railways and Kenya Revenue met to discuss the implication of the SGR on cargo handling and businesses in Mombasa.
The leaders agreed that the directive needed to be rescinded with immediate effect.
On Monday, September 30, a group by the name Fat Action Business Community Movement organized a protest, citing that jobs and business opportunities had been affected since the SGR policy was issued.
“Upon the verification exercise of cargo, the importers must be allowed to choose the mode of transport they prefer to transport their cargo," Salim Karama, the group's chairman stated in a petition to the president.
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali had sent a stern message to President Uhuru Kenyatta regarding the directive.
Speaking during a protest held on Monday, September 30, the MP stated that Mombasa residents would not allow their products to be taken to Naivasha.
"I want CS Devolution and CS Transport to know that Mombasa residents are valued as well and we will not allow that their product is taken to Naivasha so that Mombasa residents can die of hunger.
"We will fight and protect the future of Mombasa and Coast region at-large. Its all about People's Power!" he stated.
