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President Uhuru Kenyatta has hit out at Coast politicians championing a “negative narrative against government’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)”  project. 

He said allegations that his administration is seeking to sabotage Mombasa’s economy by shackling its port functions are misplaced and ill advised.

Speaking during the launch of the Dongo Kundu bypass project at Mwangala Primary on Friday, the Head of State told local politicians to keep toxic political differences at bay saying they will only stagnate the region’s economy thereby exposing residents to poverty.

He directed a jibe at Mvita MP Abdulswamad Sharrif who has been vocal against government directive making it mandatory for Nairobi-bound cargo to be ferried via SGR and cleared at the Inland Container Depot Embakasi. 

The president said “Sometimes we fail to agree on important matters because of political differences, this is why I am asking local leaders, please lets keep aside politics and come together to build this nation,” said Uhuru.

While assuring that the project is designed to turnaround the economic fortunes of not only Coast region but the whole country, Uhuru said his government is keen to change the narrative of viewing Mombasa as just a gate way to East Africa into a door for export of goods made in Kenya.