Simon Sang ‘ousted’ as Dock union factions pull apart

Members of the Dock Workers Union confront a police officer at Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa during Thursday’s meeting that ousted Simon Sang. (Omondi Onyango, Standard)

Infighting at the giant Dock Workers Union (DWU) has escalated after a faction announced the ouster of General Secretary Simon Sang.

The group led by National Chairman Mohamed Sheria said it has replaced Mr Sang with his deputy Anthony Odero in acting capacity for six months.

“Sang was ousted by 1,005 members who attended an annual general meeting at Bandari Maritime Academy on Thursday and replaced him with Mr Odero. Next week, we will file form Q with the registrar of trade unions to formally replace Sang,” Sheria said.

But Sang maintained he was in office and extended an olive branch to his rivals, whom he claimed were being used by “outside” forces unhappy with his opposition to privatisation of the Port of Mombasa.

The 5,000-member union has been embroiled in a leadership dispute that started in 2016.

Addressing a press conference in his office yesterday, Sang pleaded with his rivals to come together and recover the time lost during years of infighting.

“The journey to bring the Dock Workers Union to its lost glory begins today,” he said.

He said the outside forces that have divided the union want the port transferred to their hands through unprocedural privatisation.

Sang claimed he has performed well since he first came to office in 2006 as 3,225 causals have had their employment terms changed to permanent and pensionable.

“I have almost single handedly fought against privatisation of the port and created a conducive environment for decent jobs and job security in the port,” he said.

But Sheria, who was accompanied by Odero, said they were not interested in reconciling with Sang as previous attempts at a truce have been rebuffed by the general secretary.

“We have nothing to discuss with Sang, the members have already decided,” Sheria said.

Sang has dismissed the AGM that ousted him as illegal, saying the union’s constitution only allows the general secretary to convine such meetings.

Meanwhile, Sang and a lobby, Fat Action Business Community Movement, yesterday announced plans for a massive demonstration against Government policy to have all containers moved to Nairobi by Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

“Mombasa’s economy has collapsed due to the SGR order and we cannot sit down and watch,” Salim Karama, the lobby’s chairman, said.