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Business leaders in Mombasa fear the planned anti-government protests will hurt the economy.

The Mombasa Port and Northern Corridor Community Charter chair Gilbert Langat said such protests were regrettable and could create a false perception especially coming at a time when business is still on the path to recovery from disruptions caused Covid pandemic.

“The interruptions by anti-government demonstrations pose a major challenge to investors and negatively affect the port’s competitiveness,” said Langat, who is also the Chief Executive of the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa.

He said the Port of Mombasa has recorded a number of positive trends attributed to the establishment of the charter in 2014, noting that cargo throughput now stands at 37 million metric tonnes compared to 30 million metric tons prior to the charter.

“The number of waiters was high but today we have none. Port dwell time was over 14 days, currently we have less than four days,” he said.

The charter is a framework of collaboration that aims to transform the Port of Mombasa and the Northern Corridor into an efficient, reliable and globally competitive trade and transport corridor.

Meanwhile, some Kiambu leaders now want the government to force opposition leader Raila Odinga to take responsibility for mayhem caused during mass protests.

Speaking during a talent show in Thika town, led by Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa, they said Raila should not be allowed to “sabotage the economy.”