Law enforcement authorities in Mombasa on Saturday barred activists from holding a meeting regarding transportation of cargo using the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
The activists had been warned before the meeting that they would not be allowed to hold it.
They had intended to express their opposition to businessmen being forced against their will to transport their cargo on the SGR.
The government through Transport Cabinet Secretary Dr James Macharia had suspended the SGR order, saying that more consultations were needed.
The suspension has done little to placate the concerns of Mombasa residents who want the order done away with completely.
They contend that the suspension hardly meets their demands.
Governor Joho promised to engage President Uhuru Kenyatta on the matter, assuring residents that a way forward would be found.
Among those opposed to the SGR order is Mvita Member of Parliament and possible Joho successor according to the bookies, Abdulswamad Nassir Shariff.
"Everywhere we go, the youths are talking about employment. If we start killing jobs for the youth, what direction are we taking? KRA and KPA in forcing cargo to be transported on SGR; we are telling all transporters to close down business,"he said 3 months ago.
Locals have expressed concerns that reinstating the SGR order will result in a massive loss of jobs for truck drivers and turn boys.