The Sh4.2 billion Mombasa Commuter Rail Service connects SGR terminus
in Miritini to the Mombasa central railway station /JOHN CHESOLI
Mombasa businessman and politician Mbarak Bashatir has called for the employment of Mombasa youth in the Mombasa commuter rail service linking the Mombasa terminus of SGR in Miritini and the Mombasa Railway Station in the CBD.
Bashatir said any development in Mombasa must directly and indirectly benefit Mombasa people through jobs, business and services.
“We are happy there will be easy transportation to the Mombasa Terminus of the SGR in Miritini. But the big question is, have our children, our brothers and sisters benefited from the commuter train service in terms of employment?” Bashatir asked.
The Kisuani parliamentary seat aspirant said it will not be fair to see workers in the commuter train coming from other regions yet Mombasa youth wallow in poverty and unemployment.
“These are the opportunities that we expect to benefit our children so that they can stop abusing drugs and hacking people in frustration,” Bashatir said,
The vocal politician said Coast has traditionally been ignored by successive governments but expressed happiness that the Kenya Kwanza regime has done more for the region than other regimes.
President William Ruto is expected to officially commission the commuter train service on September 17.
Transport CS Davis Chirchir last Friday inspected the 16.6km commuter rail service, which is expected to serve an estimated 4,000 passengers daily.
This is expected to ease traffic gridlock to and from Mombasa Island.
This Sh4.2 billion investment by the government is expected to enable commuters arriving via the SGR to get seamless last mile connectivity to the Island of Mombasa and vice versa, as well as serve residents of Shimanzi, Mazeras and Changamwe
The project includes a 2.3km bridge across the Makupa Causeway, new stations and facilities for parking and dropping off vehicles.
On Wednesday, Bahstir urged Mombasa leaders to push for employment of Mombasa youth in such mega development projects.
“Our MPs, do you really get to take crucial agendas about Mombasa to the President whenever he comes to the county for work or vacations?" he asked.
He said there are many issues that elected leaders can agitate for from the national government, especially now that there is the broad-based set-up in place.
“There things like the white card at the Kenya Ports Authority, which we have been calling for for more than a decade now. Are our leaders pushing for this?” he asked.
He said the white card will help keep Mombasa youth away from crime and drug abuse.
The ‘White card’ refers to a former KPA casual labour scheme which employed residents on short-term, renewable contracts for work at the Mombasa [port.
It was abolished 16 years ago and currently, residents are pushing for its revival to combat rising youth unemployment and drug abuse.
The scheme provided a critical source of income and a pathway to stable employment.
“Our Mombasa leaders should stand firm in unity and speak with one loud voice. No government will fail to hear a loud united voice,” Bashatir said.
He called on Mining CS Hassan Joho to help whip the Mombasa leaders into a united voice so their voice can be heard.
“And do not wait for the President to come to Mombasa for you to speak. We want to hear you people speak in Parliament. We want to hear your noise I Parliament,” Bashatir said.
