Ruto Promises to Reverse Uhuru’s SGR Deals After Election

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) greets his deputy William Ruto at Parliament buildings on Monday, April 25, 2022
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) greets President William Ruto at Parliament buildings on Monday, April 25, 2022
PSCU

Deputy President, William Samoei Ruto, has promised to reverse President Uhuru Kenyatta's Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) deals that have seen some of the operations moved from the port of Mombasa to Naivasha's inland port.

Addressing the media while receiving Kilifi governor, Amason Jeffa Kingi, to Kenya Kwanza on Tuesday, May 10, Ruto alleged that the initial SGR plan was hijacked by some individuals who are now benefitting financially from it.

He stated that the SGR was meant to grow the productivity of Mombasa port and economically empower the people of the Coast region, but was instead affecting the economy of the region.

President Uhuru Kenyatta together with General Muhoozi Kainerugaba (in blue polo shirt) inspecting the Inland Container Depot in Nakuru County on January 13, 2022.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta together with General Muhoozi Kainerugaba (in blue polo shirt) inspecting the Inland Container Depot in Nakuru County on January 12, 2022.
Twitter
Lt. General Muhoozi Kainerugaba

"The SGR was intended to make the port much more efficient. Unfortunately, a few people took hostage of the whole program and ended up with selfish programs that benefit a few people to the detriment of the people at the Coast.

"We have made a commitment that administrative and legal steps will be taken to reverse what has become the biggest impoverishment to the people at the Coast," he promised.

Ruto made the statements after Kingi lamented the move by the government to move some operations from the port of Mombasa to inland ports in Nairobi and Naivasha.

He stated that Ruto's promise was included in the coalition agreement between his party - Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) - and the Kenya Kwanza alliance, adding that the reforms will be implemented within Ruto's first year in government.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the agreement provides inter alia that upon winning the presidential election scheduled for 9th August 2022, the Kenya Kwanza Alliance administration shall ensure the following within the 2022-2027 development cycle.

"Reverse all operational changes that have been carried out in the recent past whose effect has been to relocate some of the core activities of Kenya's main seaport from Mombasa to inland depots in Nairobi and Naivasha," Kingi stated.

Additionally, Ruto promised to solve the challenges of land ownership at the Coast stating that there were some absentee landowners.

"We have the commitment to having resources allocated so that the people at the coast can progressively buy land from absentee landlords. The issue of people living as squatters 50 years after independence is not something that anybody should second use," he stated.

Ruto was flanked by Amani National Congress (ANC) leader, Musalia Mudavadi, Bungoma Senator, Moses Wetangula, and National Assembly Speaker, Justin Muturi.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi with DP William Ruto, Speaker J.B Muturi, MP Aisha Jumwa, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Senator Moses Wetangula at Karen on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi with DP William Ruto, Speaker J.B Muturi, MP Aisha Jumwa, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Senator Moses Wetangula at Karen on Tuesday, May 10, 2022.
Courtesy