A new report from the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) has cast more doubt on the relationship between the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) debt and the Mombasa Port. The port, which is managed by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), was to ensure that a certain level of cargo transported on SGR is maintained. Fil image of the busy Mombasa Port in Mombasa County, Kenya File"Instead of serving as collateral or security for the loans, the profitable Mombasa Port was linked into the SGR project as its major customer. The port’s only role was to help Kenya Port Authority (KPA), its owner, ensure that a set level of cargo would be transported between Mombasa and Kenya’s inland capital of Nairobi. The report was a response to a 2018 report where the OAG indicated that Mombasa Port risked seizure if Kenya defaulted on the SGR loan repayments.

Source: Daily Nation April 17, 2022 20:47 UTC