The Dock Workers’ Union (DWU) is sounding a red flag that the government plans to privatize 75 per cent of Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) labour force.
The privatization will affect some 1,500 workers, all manual labourers at berths four and seven, which take 100 per cent of Conventional Cargo Handling Services, DWU said.
These services entail the handling of loose cargo like fertilizer, clinker and grains that DWU has credited to 60 per cent of port’s gross revenue, contrary to terminal operations that are expensive to run.
The union said the privatization has not involved the public – the owner of State assets like KPA – as required of such decision, according to Article 10 and 232 of the Kenyan Constitution.
This is the second attempt within a year by the government to privatize parts of Mombasa port.
The most recent deal, and whose details the public has been kept in the dark about, involved Sh30 billion Second Container Terminal (CT2), a facility Kenya built at berths 22 and 23 through Japanese grant.
The government wanted to hand CT2 operations to a private Swiss-Italian firm, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).
But a spirited legal fight by DWU, MUHURI, and Taireni Association of Mijikenda, deflated the plan in 2019, just a few minutes before a handing over ceremony.
DWU, just like MUHURI, is a member of Okoa Mombasa, a coalition that is also fighting to stop port privatization and to force the government to release information relating to CT2 deal.
Okoa Mombasa is demanding that residents of Coast be allowed to meaningfully participate in any decisions affecting the port, which is Mombasa’s most important economic resource.
DWU has called for a probe into the transactions at berths four and seven, hinting at possible suit should the government fails to stop the deal.
DWU warned the transaction is at the final stages.
According to the union, KPA managers have “for the last few months made concerted efforts with unknown cartels who have planned to systematically and slowly transfer some 75 per cent of the port to the hands of not more than four families.”
DWU Secretary-General, Simon Sang’, said in a statement that berth four takes a huge chunk of KPA business. Its privatization will leave the port without revenue required for the expansion and maintenance of the facility, Sang’ warned.
The official said the privatization has been systematic.
“First is started with KPA leasing berth seven, and now it is in the process of installing permanent bagging equipment, which will result in the takeover of 50 per cent of the conventional cargo operations,” Sang’ said.
DWU also noted the transaction contravenes the KPA Act, Cap 391, which gives the Authority exclusive rights to own and operate all the port terminals within the country.
The transfer of public resources to private hands without public’s consent, Sang’ said, “is a corruption of the highest level”.
“Since the process was not subjected to public participation, the union has no choice but to go to court for redress, if management will not stop it within seven days,” Sang’ said.
The looming privatization of KPA’s labour force threatens the economy of Mombasa, an issue Okoa Mombasa said violates the Kenyan Constitution and other national and international laws.
Muhuri is doing a good job especially in coast region to enlightened the common mwanaichi on the ground to know the truth the govt is undergoing secretly harming job to it’s citizens
Please note I do not want my name or email to be published any where.
Corruption in Kenya is at an alarming stage. There is ZERO seriousness. Only empty talks n threats. Embezzlement after Embezzlement are on going and NOT one case has been finalized in the courts of law, where corruption is at its highest level. Our Nation has been blessed with:
1. Hard working population
2. Good weather
3. Beautiful beaches
4. World class tourism
5. Top quality Coffee n Tea
6. Plenty of Natural resource like
Titanium, Gold, Oil etc
7. Large tracts of arable land
The list can go on……….
We can be capable of funding other nations instead we are still at the mercy of foreign landers!!(looting/embezzling/corruption monies stashed overseas) Our borrowing has crossed its limits. Our Port is at a big risk of being taken over by the Chines!
Far too many MPS, CMA’s etc the Government pay roll spending is probably highest in the worlds.
The future generations will be the ones paying the debts!!!
What we need is a few HONEST SINCERE persons to bring some sense in to the running of the Government.
I like the method that you write. Great website. Lovely understanding over listed here. Wonderful! Great Web page. I will certainly share this specific with all my friends! Thanks for your great blogs! I won’t be able to wait to confirm some those out! I love to write that type articles as if you.
This in actual fact is my very first time i go to here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your web site, mainly its conversation. In the tons of opinions in your writing, I guess I’m not the only 1 getting all the leisure here! Keep up the superb work.
Nigdy nie zapominajcie o tym, by brac z zycia jak najwiecej, nie bljcie sie ryzykowac, plakac ani byc szczesliwymi. Najwazniejsze to byc w drodze. Kazdego dnia robic krok do przodu. – Martyna Wojciechowska
I am in fact glad to read this webpage posts which carries
tons of useful facts, thanks for providing these kinds of information.
Takipi satın al hizmetini kullanmak istiyorsunuz. Öncelikle düşnmeniz gereken konu tabi ki maliyet olacaktır.
herbal ed remedies http://canadaedwp.com best ed treatment pills
Instagram ucuz takipçi satın al hizmetinden istisnasız her kullanıcı faydalanabiliyor.