SGR is a great success story. Delivered on time and budget - 5B dollars worth of investment. I take long term view of development. SGR is already making Mombasa port one of Africa's most efficient.
There are teething problems that can be resolved without resorting to Draconian measures. The problems have been identified
1) Congestion at Nairobi ICD - this will get worse
2) Last mile cost - another 20/30K to deliver container from ICD to companies.
Actually not trucks - they need last mile rail - to main industries i.e say EABL - or Bidco - or Unilver - there is a rickety rail - MGR line that ought to be rehabilated.
Most importantly SGR is designed for really heavy cargo...not containers...but stuff like Clinker, Cereals....those SGR need to talk with cement companies...and build a last mile to their factories....most are like 2-3kms from SGR.
In short - SGR is NOT A WHITE ELEPHANT.
Stop making excused for a project conceived to fail. No amount of time will bring more cargo on board, and that's all it needs to break even. I think most of the trains are already idle.
If they brought trucking for last mile they would be directly competing with truckers already doing that. What makes you think they would charge cheaper? It's just like the defunct NYS 20/- buses. DoA