A local truck company, Rongai Transport, has warned the government that it risks hurting private shipping companies if it subsidises costs on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) that is set to begin operations in three weeks time.
The company's Managing Director Vanessa Evans advocated for a policy that would ensure the transport line is run as a business and not a government enterprise.
"A third of my profits go to taxes and anything that disrupts it will mean a big loss to the Treasury as well as to my 320 employees manning 122 trucks who risk losing their jobs," Ms Evans explained.
The executive observed that government subsidies usually favour some traders and adversely affect others urging that the SGR should benefit all players in the industry.
"When SGR starts, it should promote all businesses from industries to transporters by creating an efficient and reliable service for people and goods," she urged.
Ms Evans noted that the private sector has provided reliable services for 35 years with huge investments that faithfully pay taxes to the government and as such, they did not deserve to be sacrificed for their efforts.
"Let SGR create more business for all of us and Kenya’s economy will grow faster. If you do a good job you expect to build loyalty," she remarked.
