Court rejects bid to stop probe on Kenya Ports Authority jobs scandal

Kenya Ports Authority workers’ lawyer Danson Mungatana (left) and KPA’s lawyer Michael Songoro (right) yesterday during a case in which the employees have moved to the Industrial Court seeking to stop investigation and dismissal over forgery of certificates. [Photo: Kelvin Karani/standard]

Time is running out for dozens of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) employees including 25 managers who allegedly secured employment and developed their careers using fictitious academic and professional certificates. The employees had moved to the Industrial Court seeking to stop investigation and dismissal of the 126 workers targeted. They also wanted KPA be held accountable for the mess.

Many of the employees admitted the forgery but pleaded to be forgiven and demoted rather than be sacked. But their request was rejected by KPA amid fresh reports that the workers will now be handed to police for further investigations. They now risk sacking at the end of this month after Justice James Rika declined to halt the disciplinary process yesterday. Originally, 136 workers were affected but the number has reduced to 126 after some died, fled or resigned.