Boss, elections ended. I suspect you saw my name and the topic and you went straight into defensive mode.

My observation was simply about Uhuru's remark that a single train could replace the trucks. That was factually incorrect. I am sure we agree on this.

Now, did the president make a mistake ? I don't think so. He has some of the sharpest minds advising him. Was it a typo ? Absolutely not. I suspect it was very crafty political messaging. You know that SGR has delivered what he said it would deliver. 90% of Kenyans cannot grasp those numbers. The reactions to his tweet were adequate proof.

On the numbers, KPA is about 1.2 million TEUs annually. Our friend @mkimwa is a veteran of long distance trucking. He explained with figures why SGR cannot take over business from the trucks. In case you missed it, even with the current subsidized SGR rates, trucks are still 30% cheaper. And they deliver to the doorstep.

However, some types of cargo will move to SGR automatically. Think steel, iron, printing papers e.t.c. Mainly heavy stuff that exceed the 28T maximum load per container.

https://www.businessdail...9844-lyshtkz/index.html

Speaking to the Business Daily Wednesday, Kenya Railways managing director Atanas Maina said the locomotive will instead arrive on Thursday because it’s not filled to capacity.

“The second cargo train which was expected to arrive in Nairobi today from Mombasa will arrive tomorrow because it is not full,” said Mr Maina."

The above scenario had been predicted by one of our own members here called @kysse. She is an insider in logistics. I suspect she is with one of the top logistics firms. Either DHL, Bollore or Kuehne+Nagel. Madam @kysse, if you are there. Now is the time to guide the discourse on this forum with an insider view.

Why on earth would the SGR lack cargo on the second day of operations ?

You can do better than this. Even a roadside lunch kibanda/kiosk isn't filled to capacity on 2nd day of operation. Humans need some time to switch from what they are used to.....

How long does it take to load the trucks and for them to reach Nairobi? The guy said they can load up to 8 trains a day. Also remember a container in a train will be able to carry more weight than on the truck. Your numbers look exaggerated, weka link to support the claim.

Heck, business is about profits and the margins are highest using road cargo for now, ceteris paribus.

At the moment, trucking on the road is cheaper & convenient.

I am wondering people who are not direct consumers of this SGR Cargo, are lecturing others.


@harrydre. As it is;
It's not saving time (congestion at ICD)& delays at Terminal 2 in Msa. Hence no such quick flow of goods.
It's expensive.

These are the ONLY major factors a consumer (exporter or importer) will consider. Once they are fixed, we won't have reason to use road. I will benefit directly. Why would I oppose such a thing?

Stuff like road congestion, amount of cargo moved per trip etc, those are for the masses.
Masses do not transport cargo, individuals and businesses do.
Fortunately, in business,it's more about business sense, unlike in our politics were other factors reign supreme.

At the moment,
Only @Essyk is seeing it as a consumer. She's going to try transporting using SGR Cargo, I am sticking to the road.
Acheni siaza za Jubilee/Nasa, hii ni Biashara;
@harrydre @Muchknow @Murchr @hardwood, what are you doing about it? Mwatumia SGR Cargo ama la?

Thank you. I was hoping someone like you would speak up. An insider with a very clear understanding of the dynamics in the logistics sector. Glad too that @mkimwa has weighed in. An actual player in the industry.

If we removed our political goggles briefly, we would all agree that they day SGR makes business sense to the importers and exporters, trucking will die a natural death. Until then........

@Murchr.

Acha siasa. Hii ni biashara.
You got to do better than that. Address the issues economically and wait to politick come 2022.

Do you honestly think if the issues raised are not addressed, with passage of TIME ONLY,we'll all start using a more expensive & slower alternative? HOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If so,sing some more about your political masters.

In business, we'll have our say.