New rules as KPA moves to hire seven senior managers

Seven management positions are up for grabs at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

Advertising the positions, the authority's board of directors said the vacancies will be competitively filled.   

In a major policy shift, the positions will no longer be filled through promotion or any other system that allows top officials to move up employees and cronies through favouritism.

The seven posts became vacant in February when the board announced a purge that swept away top managers.

A new policy to foster greater transparency and competence in promotions through competition among existing workers has been introduced.

The policy takes away the power to name people to key positions in the port management.

Most workers have praised the new policy, saying it will boost morale, competence and equal access to promotion.

According to the April 15 internal advert, managers in the organisation with experience are invited to apply for the positions.

Among the positions advertised are in container terminal operations, human resource, marketing, contract and conveyancing,marine engineering and marine operations.

According to the port's Human Resource and Administration General Manager Amani Komora, the applicants are required to submit their application before April 22.

"Applications are invited from suitable qualified serving staff for the under-mentioned senior positions. All applications should be submitted on forms KPA No 0956 and must be accompanied by recommendation from Head of Division together with a detailed summary of all applications in seniority order," said the advert in part.

Mr Komora said the minimum academic qualification is a degree in a related field and must have worked in a managerial position for the last five years at the port.

He also emphasised that the applicant must have good Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills with relevant experience in the job one is applying for.

The Head of Container Terminal's position fell vacant after Sudi Mwasinago was promoted to General Manager, Operations during a purge in February, which saw Captain Twalib Khamis shown the door.

The position of Head of Marketing became vacant after Edward Kamau was promoted.