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The Plummeting Demand for SGR...
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The SGR has been under scrutiny for many years now, with certain quarters terming it an economic blunder. In today's edition, take a glance at this fall in demand and what potentially awaits this project…
Hello! It's Brian from The Kenyan Wall Street with another edition of our daily newsletter. Below are our stories for the day…
THE PLUMMETING DEMAND FOR SGR: The Luxury Leap and the future…
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) saw a 10.3% drop in passengers in 2024 — yet somehow posted a 39.4% revenue spike. The boost was driven by pricey Premium Class coaches launched in August, with return fares going for up to KSh 20,000.
Instead of improving accessibility or affordability, Kenya Railways banked on luxury — and lost the masses. CS Davis Chirchir hailed the new service as “world-class,” but ordinary Kenyans seem to have disembarked altogether.
Chairman Abdi Bare Duale claimed the coaches would boost tourism, but with over 270,000 fewer passengers, the numbers don’t seem to agree. The SGR is fast becoming a train for the few. Needless to say, the project is still considered a white elephant project.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan government is woeing its Chinese counterpart to fund the proposed extension of the railway project to Malaba (at the Ugandan border). But with passengers numbers falling, and a new Nairobi-Mombasa expressway coming up, many are questioning if it is a good idea…
More updates to come…
Today's Poll
Do you think it is a wise idea to extend the SGR considering its passenger numbers have fallen? |
SENATE INQUIRY : CS Mutua Defends Gov't Emigration Programme
Labour CS Alfred Mutua
The Kenyan Senate grilled Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua over a scandal involving fraudulent overseas job placements, where victims paid significant fees but received no jobs.
Job seekers were asked to pay between KSh 15,000 and KSh 55,000 for medical tests and travel arrangements, only to be left without documentation. Mutua defended the program, citing logistical delays, but denied any knowledge of applicants that were not refunded, stating that only medical fees were non-refundable. The ministry has blacklisted over 30 recruitment agencies and is investigating 153 others for violations. Read more »»»»»
ANALYSIS : E-Waste Rises to Over 53,000 Tonnes Amid Surge in Small Device Debris
Electronic waste
The country’s electronic waste output continued its upward trajectory, reaching 53,559 metric tonnes in 2024, up from 46,211 tonnes in 2020, according to new data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The figures highlight growing environmental pressures tied to the consumption and disposal of electronic goods. Read the analysis here »»»»»
Markets
Today's NSE Gainers and Losers
Source : NSE
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Opinion & Commentary
On your watchlist
Yesterday's Poll Results
Do you think the integration of the eTIMS system with fuel stations to track financial transactions is a good idea?
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes (64%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ No (36%)
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