Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia had announced the move in May, stating that it was agreed on by four heads of state; President Uhuru Kenyatta, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Salva Kiir of South Sudan following a Consultative Meeting of the East African Community (EAC) held via video conference on Tuesday, May 12.
The move faced vehement opposition from transporters and logistics operators who claimed that it was bound to lead to massive job losses.
Speaking in Parliament, Abdulswamad described it as a deliberate attempt to harm the Coast economy in addition to crushing the road, transport and logistics industry.
File photo of Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulswamad Nassir.
File
Despite Macharia’s assurances that measures had been put in place to ensure seamless clearance at Naivasha to allow for onward transportation by trucks, the lawmaker maintained that it was misinformed.
He accused Macharia of going back on a previous promise that there would be no restrictions on the mode of transportation for goods imported through the port.
Outlining reasons why the move could be detrimental to the lives of ordinary Kenyans, he observed that the price of goods would likely be affected if road transport was a cheaper option for some of the traders.
“A number of issues have arisen from the implementation of this directive where cargo is to be cleared and collected at the said facility.
“Among them is; – Lack of giving operators an option of transiting to the new process and, equally, choosing a mode of transport of their own choice. There are also fears that the final cost of goods will be affected while road transport may be cheaper.
Nassir described the move as a deliberate effort by the government to put road transport out of business and generally harm the entire economy of the Coastal region.
The legislator had written to the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi calling for Macharia to be summoned to explain the controversial order.
The CS has maintained that the move will, in particular, allow for cheaper and more efficient transportation of goods to neighbouring East African countries.
Macharia is slated to face MPs in the coming days to explain the directive and address various concerns it has raised.
Special Envoy of the People Republic of China, Wang Yong and Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works, James Macharia (Far Right) on December 17, 2019..jpg
PSCU
