The Disadvantage of SGR Cargo Train

Despite Easing the transport system to and fro Mombasa County, the Standard Gauge Railway has brought disadvantages to the companies and truck drivers in Mombasa County.There has been sharp decline in their fortunes as a result of government policies stating that to haul cargo only via the standard gauge railway.

Handling more than 40% of the port cargo transport business, the Standard gauge railway has brought up more job losses on truckers. Trailers do no longer have containers to ferry, clearing and forwarding company’s continue to count losses day in day out.

the SGR cargo train

Truck companies have been forced to shut down laying off thousands of drivers and turn boys. Godowns that used to store goods awaiting transportation have also been closed down. Truckers, container freight stations (CFSs), are getting more and more losses and clearing agents continue to count losses, with some logistics companies reported to have resorted to restructuring that has seen thousands of job losses.

Omar Bakari, a truck driver, says he could do three trips in a month and take a week off, but now he spends more time waiting for the goods than on the road. There is a reduction in port related businesses as a result of the Standard Gauge Railway services. He is thankful that his employer still gets some business, but knows of companies that are struggling to get businesses.

According to Mr Ombok, the government claims that transporting a container to and from Nairobi using the SGR costs Sh50, 000 but it does not consider that one has to pay Sh5, 000 handling fee, Sh25, 000 for ferrying the container from the SGR to a nearby CFS, and Sh10, 000 empty container return charges, he said. This makes transportation more expensive than using of trucks yet the government condemns cargo being transported by use of trailers and trucks which is more way cheaper.

The city has degenerated from Mombasa Raha (fun) to Mombasa Karaha (problems).

The Viral Corona Plague

Coronavirus is emerging in more countries around the world and there's currently no known cure.  According to the World health Organization, Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. SARS-CoV-R is the official name of the pathogen.

Originating from Wuhan china on 31st December 2019, the deadly virus has spread to the rest of the world within a very short period having more than 108,000 cases reported worldwide. In US,there is  564 cases of the coronavirus. According to the South Korean Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there is a total number of 7382. To date, only three cases of infection have been officially recorded in Africa, one in Egypt, one in Algeria and one in Nigeria, with no deaths.

 Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. It is believed the virus can be spread easily since the infected person contaminate their bedrooms and bathrooms, underscoring the need to routinely clean high-touch surfaces, basins and toilet bowls.

corona virus

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, and cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

One of the ways to prevent this virus is through quarantine. In Italy millions of people have been quarantine after cases emerged in the Lombard region. Washing your hands and maintaining social distancing from anyone coughing or sneezing. Avoiding touching the eyes mouth and nose. The hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick. Cases doubling up each and every day, people are urged to pay the closest attention to preventive measures.

THE CHRONICLES OF UNIVERSITY

Hello Everyone , this time we talk about my experience in the university.

Thinking back, I recognize how much I have grown in person as a Student in The Technical University of Mombasa. in a couple of months’ time, when I graduate, I will leave the Technical University of Mombasa not just as a mass media student but also with remarkable experience and lots of skills which has helped me grow as a media person.

Mwinyi Athumani

Time moves and has a habit of moving with us. I joined the university as a beginner. With less skills about the media industry since that’s where my interest was. The passion that I lived admiring has come to life, it's me that is now admired. I got to learn how to operate a variety of cameras which I never had used in my life. Being able to use the canon cameras and Sony cameras for practical was an achievement.

Not long ago looking into a person's eyes and saying something was a lion den for me, now looking at a thousand eyes is no big deal. I became confident enough to stand and speak about anything to any person or group at any time if I’m told to. This has gone so fast.

They say you will find the lifelong friends while at the university. Yes it’s true. Friends make you learn a lot of important life lessons and I’m thankful for the people I have met. In my lectures in the campus or during even practical’s. They mean a lot. They will always support care and appreciate you as a person. Friendship gets stronger and become part of you.

The gullible me back then vanished with the minutes, a self-ruled came to existence. Having no one to follow up on what you are doing during class was another thing. Pushing yourself beyond comfort zone. You decide whether to attend or not and no one will ask you about it. Remembering a time where I was chose to lead a group during practicals, it was at this moment where I knew I could lead a group of people to success.

To be honest life at campus has been great and has taught me alot.