The future of Autoport workers, a freight company associated with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, remains unknown after the company was closed for allegedly flouting Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) regulations.
To most of them, life has become unforgiving as they grapple with the hard realities of life since the closure of the terminal.
Speaking to this writer on Monday at the facility, the workers said they fear things might get worse if the stalemate persists.
The most affected are the casual workers whose lives entirely depended on the smooth operations at the port facility.
The workers said since they have no alternative sources of income, they expect tough times ahead unless the deadlock between the facility's management and KRA is solved.
John Juma, a casual worker at the facility, said the events which have been unfolding at the terminal for nearly one week now are not entirely encouraging.
"I am going through a tough time. We expect all parties involved to intervene and get us out of this problem because we are suffering and we have families,” said Juma.
He added, “Being a casual worker means that the daily payments I used to receive have dried up.”
Veronica Migwi, who is also a casual worker, said the government should not politicise the matter at the expense of their welfare.
“This problem has been politicised at our expense. Let the problem be handled with the seriousness it deserves,” she said.
The workers urged the government to solve the matter quickly so that they can resume work.