Mombasa Forward

Mombasa Forward with Mike Sonko!

Choose your paths wisely.
By Suleiman Shahbal.
What seems like a road to nowhere often lead to major breakthroughs. The road to greatness is often narrow and difficult. But broad is the way and easy is the path that leads to mediocrity, ordinariness. Most great businesses we see today were shaped by ideas that seemed strange. Importantly Always trust the process even when you dont understand it! More so when you don't see immediate outcome.

It is now clear that SGR issues is beyond civil societies;

1.For any economic growth standards, cargos that used to take days to reach its destination, SGR has reduced it to some hours. A great milestone to business people.

2. Government has spent billions of money to construct SGR, how can they suddenly stop the rail Cargo transport?

3. Cartels like Joho, Raila and other Mt Kenya Mafias have won multibillion deals out of SGR cargo transport, how will they easen their stand on SGR?

4. Cartels like Joho have been allowed to buy huge parcel of land at Naivasha for CFS construction, how will they allow small fish like me and you to kill SGR transport?

What Muhuri, Haki Afrika and other interested parties Advocating for SGR issue must now do is to calm down and start advocating for other alternative sources of income to those residents who have always been the direct beneficiaries of road transport. People must swallow the bitter truth and start moving to counties like Nakuru and Uasin Gishu. They can also opt to move to Lamu and Isiolo to benefit from Lapset under Lamu port.

NB: civil societies must now use the SGR energy to start pushing for better change in mombasa county government leadership so that residents of Mombasa can start to feel the fruits of devolution. We can opt for monday demos towards mombasa county leadership for good implimentation of county budgetory allocation by ensuring all the county budget cycle are fully adhered to effective public participation for better service delivery.

THE PREREQUISITES FOR SUCCESS FOR THE DONGO KUNDU SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE.
By Suleiman Shahbal

In 2013 after losing governors race to Ali Hassan Joho, I went to meet Industrialization CS Adan Mohammed and told him that, I ran for Mombasa governor and my objective was to push for Free Economic Zones in Mombasa. Jebel Ali was willing and ready to pattern with us. I even set up an appointment with the chairman of Jebel Ali to meet with the CS. However, The CS found all excuses under the sun to avoid that meeting.

Sadly, 6 years down the line, while we are launching roads in Dongo Kundu, already Rwanda has launch Dubai Ports Kigali Logistics platform. That's how we keep losing opportunities for our people

It is with great relief to see the Dongo Kundu bypass officially launched. Finally we can see light at the end of the tunnel for the long awaited Special Economic Zone that we have been advocating for the last ten years. Dongo Kundu if implemented well will change the economic landscape for the Coast and Kenya in general. The economic transformation and revitalization of China from a poverty stricken superpower to an economic superpower within a few decades came from the setting up of Special Economic Zones. The impact of the Jebel Ali economic zone in Dubai cannot be understated as it contributes over 35% of Dubai’s GDP, far in excess of all the glitzy fancy hotels and the airlines. However let us not be overly optimistic without some reality checks. A number of economic zones have failed. The most famous one being the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota which was eventually taken over by the Chinese.

As Dongo Kundu is being developed (and for heavens sake lets change the name!) we must not forget the lessons of Lamu where the berths are ready and the supporting infrastructure is nowhere to be seen leaving a multi billion shillings port stranded. We took so long debating Lamu port until our major potential partners Ethiopia made peace with Eritrea and South Sudan is going back to the embrace of its Northern Neighbour. The port of Salalah in Oman lost 10 years simply because the government had no proper business plan on how to market it. I fear that we are about to make the same mistakes in Dongo Kundu and we must take preventive action to address the key issues and challenges.

First, Who drives and owns Dongo Kundu? Is it the Ministry of Industrialization or transport? Or both? If this issue is not resolved the project will get caught in normal turf wars and double bureaucracy. It’s the kiss of death. Please appoint a single Authority and an empowered Chairman to drive this project otherwise it will take forever like Lapset did and we lost opportunities.

Second, government needs to create a serious marketing effort to sell the project to prospective investors. Let us not assume that investors are dying to come and invest here. Large companies that would have an interest to come and invest in Dongo Kundu are companies that would need two to three years to plan their investment and marketing programs. We must match our planning with theirs and start marketing from today if we are to get them to set up shop here in another four years when we are ready. There is no point in having our project ready in four years and then wait another three years while we start marketing. There is enormous competition out there and we are already seeing Djibouti gearing up to capture the Ethiopian market. Do not estimate the coming threat of Rwanda. Rwanda may be a small state surrounded by large states, so is Dubai. Rwanda is positioning itself as the next Dubai of Africa and don’t be too surprised in five years to see millions of containers flying through Mombasa port on their way to the Freeport of Kigali. The emergence of Air Rwanda as a serious airline indicates that they are copying the Emirates model. Fly people to Kigali as efficiently as possible and Kigali will soon become the shopping center of East Africa. While we talk about it, its happening.

Third, we need to define and clarify what sort of Special Economic Zone we want to have. At present the easiest market to target is the Chinese market where Labour intensive companies are now leaving China looking for cheap Labour abroad. This may seem attractive at present because we have plenty of cheap Labour. However let us not limit ourselves. Let us also target high value industries. When Dubai launched its Internet City many people laughed. Soon all the major internet companies were lured to Dubai. When Microsoft, IBM, Cisco and the big boys came the rest of the smaller companies soon followed. Thousands of high paying jobs and business opportunities were created. The same model was applied with the Media City. Entice CNN, Reuters, BBC and the others will follow. Then came the Educational City and the business model was proven. Things don’t happen by accident. They are made to happen. We need to make sure that we are not dependent on luck for success in Dongo Kundu and as we stand today that’s appears to be our strategy. We need a billion shillings marketing budget for the next three years to successfully market Dongo Kundu.

Fourth. Training for the people who will work there is critical. Today Kenya has no trained industrial welders or plumbers or electricians to work there. When Dongo Kundu is ready all these companies we are targeting will be forced to import such semi skilled workers while our youth are desparate for jobs. Fortunately the schools and Polytecnic’s are already there and require little more investment. The Chinese government already gave us some money to develop these. It is now time to link the training with studied requirements of what the targeted investors will require. I further implore the government to pay these trainees monthly wages to get them motivated and to increase some money circulation in the local economy. Let this training be the most sought after opportunity in the Coast today. This money will support thousands of local families, restore family pride and increase liquidity in the local economy which is dying. There is a historical precedent for such state largesse. During the Great Depression of 1929 to 1933 the United States government paid salaries to men digging trenches simply as an excuse to create some jobs and fund the local economy. The same was applied in Germany post World War Two. It is not charity, it is economic incentive. Cost is approximately two billion shillings.

Fifth. Dongo Kundu is 3800 acres. If we assume 40% will be infrastructure then there will be 2300 acres available for development. Why not allocate at 100 acres to individual Special Economic Zones within Dongo Kundu. A hundred acres is the equivalent of the City Center of Nairobi for each zone. Encourage competition and let the free market compete. This will also give an opportunity for Kenyans to participate in this project. It would be a shame if this landmark project was to end up an a foreign enclave in Kenya and Kenyans have not been given the opportunity and an advantage to compete and contribute. As a Kenyan investor I am ready to take up this challenge. There are many more capable, able and ready.

Sixth. There is still some serious legal and regulatory issues that needs to be sorted out. We need to sort out the conflicts that exist between the Laws and customs regulations as interpreted by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and those of the East African Community and Comesa. This legal work takes time to sort out as is typical of all legal issues. No investor will come to Dongo Kundu unless this is sorted out and clarified. Unfortunately KRA reports to Treasury while Dongo Kundu reports to who? We need to think out of the box and consider setting up a separate and independent tax authority to manage Dongo Kundu and other Special Economic Zones. Cost one billion in legal fees.

Seventh. An unexpected by product of the Special Economic Zones has been the establishment of Free Zone Companies for that provide services. These services could be simple offshore companies to legal and financial services firms. There are literally thousands of such companies set up in the RAK (Ras Al Khaimah) Free Zone. These companies create thousands of jobs and lucrative licensing fees. RAK became so successful and profitable that other states soon started following suit. This creates an opportunity for Kenya to be at the forefront of offshore international business in East and Central Africa. It’s a legal and infrastructure play and we should not underestimate the first mover advantage. If the rules of the game are not changed quickly then this whole project will move at the same speed that the Nairobi International Financial Center – still on the planning board ten years later.

As Kenya continues to work hindered and handicapped by our eternal bureaucracy, the President of Rwanda has opened his Special Economic Zone in partnership with Jebel Ali, Dubai. Ethiopia has also opened its tenth Special Economic Zone. What are waiting for?

Take Initiative!
By Suleiman Shahbal.

That's what make the difference. It doesn't mean being too aggressive or pushy. It Just mean recognizing our responsibility to make things happen. You are responsible for your situation and outcome.

When you need something so much, the whole universe will conspire to bring it to you. But only if you work for it. Many people admire the achievement of Eluid Kipchoge, in running a full marathon in 1:59. In doing so, he moved and challenged the whole world that, 'No Human Is Limited'. However, how many of us have replicated that into our lives? How many will replicate meticulous preparations in our respective lives and careers?

Life is the longest marathon we are all running. We must break barriers. We must overcome our limitations. We must scale mountains and challenges. Above all we must prepare well for that which we want to achieve.

For example, we all want to grow in our careers; get promotion, good salary and above all work in a blue chip company. We all want to climb the ladder and be presidents or MDs of big companies. Don't relax. Take initiative. Start doing researching on a particular industry. Understand the intrigues and dynamics within that market. Read journals, books and take professional courses related to that industry.

Importantly, if you want to work for a company so much, through privilege Intelligence get to know the operations and dynamics of that company. Understand and preempt both current and future problems and offer solutions. It's called solution selling. More importantly, wake up everyday, picturing yourself working in that company, sitting in an office offering solutions.

Don't wait for things to happen. Make them happen.

If you are tired on how things are playing out in your life, take effort to change them. Only you is responsible for that. Get rid of 'wait and see' sort of attitude. If you don't change the only thing you can wait and see happen is either things remain stagnant or worse off.

Don't scapegoat or blame others. Nothing will ever improve through that. Don't believe in some warped cord of superstition. Everything is within your power - to right all the wrongs of the past and to move your life in a direction that guarantee you happiness and success.

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Kenya Ferry Services entire Board including Chairman Dan Mwazo SACKED after Likoni tragedy!

Life is a continuous lesson on conflict management.
By Suleiman Shahbal.

We are faced with many issues or problems that need our resolutions either at home, work place or our relations to others. When I got married, I had to adjust my lifestyle to accommodate my wife; We had many dissimilarities. For example she liked certain types of food which I didn't. I love taking black coffee in the morning, she doesn't do coffee.... How we resolve such small issues determine how happy and joyful we live.

We are taught to love one another as we love ourselves. Therefore, accept that life is not just about you being right. The greatest sense we need is the sense to feel and accommodate others. Let not pride or ego define you, they are wealths of foolish men!

Through acceptance, tolerance and communication we can adapt to any kind of situation and resolve many conflicts that comes with it. 90% of all conflicts are a results of miscommunication. Therefore, learn to communicate effectively.

We can't see the same situation the same way, and do the same things the same way. Accept that the world has room for everyone, and don't suffocate them. No matter how big you are, you can't fill the whole world. So just do what you think you are good at. In doing so, allow others also to perfect what they are good at.

Lastly, it is our ability to learn that endow us with skills to resolve conflicts. Keep learning. Keep adjusting and perfecting your character.

All roads lead to Mama Ngina Waterfront.
Mashujaa Day Celebrations Reloaded!

Demand Mombasa City facelift like Narok During Mashujaa Day.
https://bit.ly/31e5rPC

Mombasa still not spruced up just days to Mashujaa Day It could take 46 years to host it again if every county does.

People must learn to be grateful to any act of kindness. These cheques are for burial expenses contribution by Kenya Ferry just like the Mpesa bloggers are sending to the family.

Ignore compensation narrative being pushed by propangadists. Compensation may only come later and it's KFS insurance to pay.

UHURU'S IDEAS COULD PULL KENYANS OUT OF POVERTY
By Suleiman Shahbal

Mariam, married with five children, lived in a nice apartment in Kileleshwa. Her children went to a nearby school. Once a year, they took a bus to visit Mombasa to allow the children enjoy the Christmas vacation with their grandparents; a typical Kenyan middle class family.

Without notice, her husband of 20 years had ran off with a young girl from university and stopped supporting his family within a few months. After rent arrears accumulated and the children were kicked out of school, Mariam was forced to relocate to a cheaper one bedroom apartment.

She opened a kiosk with the little money that her brothers gave her and moved the children to a government school. Within months, she moved from the middle class to the lower income bracket.

Such is the predicament of the Kenyan middle class. They sit precariously on an economic precipice that could collapse any time. Many families have found their financial circumstances changed overnight because of death, loss of a job or abandonment. Is the Kenyan middle class so fragile?

There are various definitions of what constitutes the middle class. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) says that less than 2.9 per cent of Kenyans earn more than Sh100,000 per month, 64.5 per cent earn between Sh20,000 and Sh40,000. A Kenyan writer described this class as a “floating class living two to three months away from poverty”. This means that if they lost their jobs, within two to three months, they would be destitute.

National objective

Amazingly, Forbes magazine stated that 65 per cent of all Americans cannot raise $500 in an emergency. A recent IPSOS survey was even more alarming, stating that half of Kenya’s households make less than Sh10,000 per month, 2 per cent make zero income and 1 per cent makes between Sh55,000 and Sh75,000.
Another 1 per cent makes between Sh75,000 and Sh100,000 per month. At least 24 per cent earn between Sh10,000 and Sh25,000, ten per cent earn between Sh25,000 and Sh40,000 and another three per cent earn between Sh40,000 and Sh55,000 per month. Clearly, the majority of Kenyans can be described as poor, rather than middle class by these definitions. Our stated national objective as envisioned by Vision 2030 looks more and more like a pipe dream.

Middle class families cannot sustain their lifestyles for long. Many are indebted either to online lenders, banks, chama’s, saccos or friends and family. The cost of living is rising faster than incomes, which means they are becoming poorer as the days go by. Most families now depend on two incomes and if one parent is unemployed, the family suffers. As more and more of the middle class are forced to hustle, many children are abandoning school too early and by so doing, further reduce their chances of financial growth.

Upward mobility

The personal and family stress of surviving in these tough times is taking its toll. The number of single parent families in the urban areas is reaching alarming proportions. Drugs and alcohol addicts have increased.

The middle class is under siege from all sides. There is a growing sense of despair in the middle class and a feeling that they and their children are condemned to a life bordering on poverty and loss of upward mobility. A recent Brookings study in the United States noted the same sentiments amongst the American middle class.

But all is not lost. Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda could truly be transformational for Kenya. The new infrastructure projects are changing Kenya for the better. Kenyans today pay roughly one third of their incomes for rent because the vast majority cannot afford a mortgage. With the proposed low cost and social housing projects, lower income Kenyans could hope to own a home and build equity for the future.

Every Kenyan knows that if you don’t have rent to pay you can somehow find food. Universal healthcare is a fantastic development if fully implemented and would spare Kenyans huge hospital bills. Most Kenyans cannot afford to be sick. Though free education has opened up education to all Kenyans, our public schools are not the best.

In 1965, Lyndon Johnson transformed the US with his ambitious dreams of a “Great Society.” He introduced programmes to reduce poverty and crime, improve education, medicare, development of depressed areas, urban renewal and conservation.

There were parts of America that looked worse than the poorest parts of Africa. He changed America for the better. Uhuru has brought some fantastic ideas that rival the vision of the Great Society. For the sake of Kenya they must be implemented.

BREAKING NEWS:
KFS Ferry MV Harambee enroute mainland from the island has disembarked safely with all vehicles and people on board.
Don't always expect bad news from Mombasa!

The psychological support of our soldiers who have borne the brunt of combat-related physical and psychological injuries is key.It is for this reason that an ultra-modern Rehabilitation Centre has been constructed in Lang'ata Barracks to ensure that our personnel and their dependants in need of prolonged care receive world class treatment.

Since introduction of KDF compensation schemes, welfare centres, processing of compensations has been fast-tracked to a maximum of 30 days

~ ~~~CDF Samson Mwathethe

Mashujaa unlimited!

UPDATE: Kenya Ferry Services's safety tips to motorists:

1. Speed limit within the ferry area is 30km/hr.
2. Ensure braking system is sound
3. Lower vehicle windows while aboard & switch off your vehicle engine.
4. Alight from the vehicle.
5. Board your vehicle as instructed when the ferry is stationary for disembarking.
~~~~~~ Ferry Kenya

Very important. We must revisit!
https://bit.ly/2VAdB3y

Anxiety as DCI probes team over ferry deaths : The Standard Kighenda’s widower John Wambua said the retrieved car was in parking gear and the handbrake engaged

It's all systems go for Mashujaa Day Celebrations at Mama Ngina Water Front.

When they tell you it's impossible,
tell them it's Eliud Kipchonge!

Spokesperson's Office
State House, Nairobi

Saturday, 12th October 2019

Press Statement

President Kenyatta condoles with family of mother and child who perished in the Likoni ferry accident

President Uhuru Kenyatta sends his message of condolence and comfort to the family of Mr John Wambua who lost his wife Mariam Kighenda and daughter Amanda Mutheu in the Likoni ferry tragedy.

The President's message of condolence follows the completion of the search and retrieval of the ill-fated car and bodies of the departed, an exercise conducted by a multi-agency team drawn from our various entities.

The President regrets the unfortunate incident and assures all Kenyans that efforts are being made to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in future.

Besides the ongoing revamp of ferry services, the President notes that the proposed Likoni Gate Bridge, the ongoing construction of the Dongo Kundu by-pass as well as the completion of the Samburu-Kinango-Kwale Road will help ease the pressure on sea crossing between Mombasa Island and the South Coast.

The President, who has closely followed the search and retrieval exercise over the last 13 days, commends the multi-agency team for their relentless efforts in ensuring the long, tedious and risky undertaking was a success.

For the family of Mr Wambua, the President assures that the Government will continue supporting them as they mourn their beloved kin.

Kanze Dena Mararo
State House Spokesperson

Ports are created to facilitate imports and exports. Ports are not created for profitering transporters to feed their employees families.

We must choose between SGR and lorries based on what enables the port of Mombasa to become more effectient and competitive. SGR scores higher than Lorries.

Hizo Lorries zipelekwe Kitui zikabebe makaa na sand, it's also a business!

Mombasa, wake up and move forward.
We have been treated with demo after demo by profiteering cargo handlers but do we understand what it means to move cargo by SGR?

It means decogesting the port making it attractive to land locked countries like Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi including Southern Sudan.

Why should Uganda use your lorry to transport her container for days while SGR can deliver it in day?

Demand to have cargo delivered by road is not only selfish but also primitive. While other countries are adopting SGR to fast track port management our leaders driven by business interest want thousands of trucks on our roads.

Mombasa, Think and think again!

The search continues!