The Dock Workers Union (DWU) on Friday said they will be joining the business community and other concerned parties to protests against compulsory transportation of cargo on Standard Gauge Railway from Mombasa to Nairobi.
Addressing journalist on Friday, DWU secretary-general Simon Sang said starting from Monday, they will be on the streets of Mombasa together with other concerned parties.
“We are teaming up with the Mombasa business community and the rights organisation to protest against this government directive,” said Sang.
Other parties that will be taking part in weekly protests include Kenya Transporters Association, Kenya Long Distance Drivers Union, Muslims for Human Rights, Haki Africa and Container Freight Stations among others, who have said they will only leave the streets once the government listens to their cry.
Sang wants the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone to be functional so that lost jobs can be compensated before SGR is allowed to take over 30 per cent of cargo.
“Our appeal is that SGR should be allowed to take more than 30 per cent after the Dongo Kundu industrial park has been put in place so that whatever impact the SGR will have, will be replaced by businesses and jobs that will have been created by the industrial park,” he added.
However, not all the 5,500 employees of the Dock Workers Union are supporting Mr. Sang, some are supporting its chairman Mohammed Sheria who is still for the pro-government stance.
Monday pretests will kick off at Elephant Tusk on Moi Avenue to Uhuru na Kazi building.