Traders in Mutito Andei and Emali towns in Makueni County have blamed the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) for dwindling business.
The traders lament that, since its launch two years ago, the line which traverses along the towns has turned the once vibrant business hub into a pale shadow of its former self due to decreased number of cargo trucks and buses along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.
Boniface Mutwiri, who runs a roadside shop at Mutito Andei, said business was previously brisk as buses and trucks plying through the town made stopovers to allow drivers and passengers time for refreshments.
“Before the advent of SGR train services travellers flocked this town and I made daily sales of over Sh10,000 but earnings have dropped to a low Sh3,000 per day. Business is bad,” he lamented.
His sentiments were echoed by Jackson Musau who runs a butchery and nyama choma eatery.
“Truck drivers and turnboys were my main customers but only a few visit my meat joint because the SGR cargo train put most of them out of business,” Musau told Hivisasa on Thursday.
Nonetheless, for bodaboda operators in Mtito Andei town, the SGR passenger trains have turned their fortunes around.
The riders ferry travellers boarding and disembarking from trains headed to either Mombasa or Nairobi to and from various destinations within the town and its environs.
Benson Mwetu, who operates in Mutito Andei town, said the SGR train was godsent to bodaboda operators as their daily take-home incomes have multiplied since it was launched in June 2017.
Besides, Catherine Hamisi, a frequent user of the SGR passenger train, lauded the multi-billion transportation project which she termed as convenient, fast, safe and affordable mode of transportation for Makueni residents travelling to and from Nairobi and Mombasa cities.
“The experience is just amazing compared to road transport which is usually chaotic and prone to accidents,” said Hamisi who is a resident of Emali town.
Emali township’s business community chairman, Reuben Munyao, said though local bodaboda operators and train enthusiasts had something to smile about the multi-billion railway line, many other businesses had taken a beating since the SGR services started.
Munyao claimed that most hotels, guest houses and bars in his town had either closed due to poor business or were struggling to stay afloat.
“The SGR diverted travellers and long-distance truck drivers, which most of our businesses depended on, from towns along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
“That group of customers brought a lot of business to my town as it stopped over for food, drinks and rest but has since become scarce, spelling doom to our businesses,” he said.
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