All import and export cargos done by all government ministries, departments and agencies will be transported using the SGR freight services. As part of an effort to boost the SGR freight services, President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered governmental imports and exports to be done using the SGR.
More so, this means all contractors for the state projects will be forced to transport their cargo on SGR. According to the circular from the office of the president, Head of Public Services Joseph Kinyua made it clear that movement of cargo from Mombasa to Nairobi through any other means will require a written permission from the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Transport.
Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) have up to 10 days to declare all cargo they expect to transport in the coming financial year. In a move aimed at increasing the SGR revenue base to pay back the loan given by the Chinese government, the government of Kenya believes through this way, enough revenue will be generated through the same SGR freight services.
However, this move was opposed by both the cargo transporters and dock workers. Transporters and importers claimed that the government is forcing them to use the SGR which puts their business at risk of getting loses.
Dock workers claim clearing imports and exports from inland container depot will make them lose their jobs.