•Optimisation of existing infrastructure will be key in the next phase of recovery as we seek to create jobs. SGR cargo train at the Inland Container Depot, Nairobi. Kenya as a country is currently going through a bruising cycle.
From the sporadic inflation movement in 2019, to the current Covid-19 pandemic that is yet to fully showcase its impact on not only Kenya’s economy but the continent at large.
Already, unemployment is on the rise, the economy is taking a hard beating and we do not know for how long.
The government is working on stimulus checks to help jump-start the economy during our recovery journey.
Indeed, the ability of stimulus programs to boost the economy quickly by getting cash into mwananchi’s hand is welcomed. However, this has to be complemented with many other initiatives.
Job creation and optimisation of existing infrastructure will be key in the next phase of recovery as we seek to create jobs, raise real wages and bolster the various sectors that have been hard hit including hospitality aviation and manufacturing.
To the greatest extent possible, these investments should be targeted to the workers, families, communities and the lowest end of the economic pyramid.
As the supply chains around the world are disrupted, business leaders must prepare for the effects on production, transport and logistics, and customer demand.
For a start, the country’s investment in the sea, air and rail networks provides an ideal platform to rebuild our economy and safeguard our position as the regional economic hub.
The Port of Mombasa in conjunction with the now fully operational Standard Gauge Railway cargo transport network should lead in generating revenue for our country, by ensuring that we efficiently deliver all the delayed cargo both in Kenya and to the hinterland.
For Kenya Ports Authority, this is the time to optimize the expanded yards and berths to handle more cargo, ride on the revamped ICT system and modernized cargo handling equipment to literally dominate the EAC market.The Inland container Depot (ICD) should be a beehive of activities, that will employ and re-engage the youth labour resources in clearing and processing the cargo to regional markets.On the other hand, rail transporters like Africa Star Railway Operation Company should be at the forefront in offering significant cost efficiency for cargo haulage, to enable truckers and other last-mile players to deliver the goods to the end users at an affordable cost.As a local feeder, affordable road transport will definitely […]
