NEW DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPACT OF KENYA’S SGR ON TRUCK DRIVERS

Journalist Edwin Okoth has unveiled a documentary that delves into the impact of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) on the livelihoods of truck drivers in Kenya. 

The film investigates key clauses in the agreement between Kenya and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), exploring the SGR’s role as a vital transportation link between Nairobi and Mombasa. Although the SGR has been celebrated as a major infrastructure advancement, it has also raised concerns about its unintended consequences for the trucking industry.

Since the railway’s first phase was completed in 2017, which connects the Port of Mombasa to Kenya’s interior, significant changes have unfolded. A pivotal 2018 government policy mandated that all containerised cargo entering the Mombasa port be transported exclusively via the SGR.

This shift has led to the closure of over 10,000 trucking businesses and resulted in thousands of job losses for truck drivers and loaders, alongside the shutdown of numerous related enterprises. Through extensive research and firsthand accounts, Edwin Okoth captures the struggles faced by those affected by this transition. The documentary paints a compelling narrative that highlights the human impact of infrastructural progress, encouraging viewers to consider the broader implications for livelihoods in Kenya. 

Okoth, who previously covered critical stories regarding the SGR contract in Kenyan media, focused his MA thesis at Columbia University in 2018 on China-Africa relations. He emphasises the need for public participation in such projects, stating, “The negative impact felt by the business community and the truck drivers underlines the importance of proper public participation before such mega projects are rolled out. Kenya should take the lessons from the SGR seriously and avoid a similar mistake in such projects in the future,” he said.