Protests have hit the coastal town of Mombasa amid preparations for the December holidays.
December, 23, protesters marched along the streets chanting and singing out what they termed as the targeted exclusion of the coastal people from sharing in the national cake.
The protests began earlier in the year after a decision by the Government to have all cargo be transported through the Standard-gauge railway.
The move attracted widespread protests from truckers and stakeholders in the transport sector who were staring at major loss of business and jobs.
The people of Mombasa will not relent,their resolve to reclaim the lost glory will not stop
We will demonstrate to 2020 for what belongs to us#BlackMonday pic.twitter.com/ZlLDkmuknd
— AbuSakeena (@FauzKhalid) December 23, 2019
However, a meeting with Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i, Transport CS James Macharia and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho would render the SGR directive suspended.
The protests have continued even after the suspension of the directive with stakeholders revealing that close to 3000 workers in the freight services and filling stations have lost their jobs.
The body also stated that some 8,000 more jobs risked being lost in the confusion.
The protests have been worsened by the decision of the Government to set up a dry port in Maimahiu believed to handle some 2 million tonnes of cargo per year upon completion.
So far, the 2.6km road linking the dry port to Mai Mahiu road is complete.