Dock workers welcome return of KPA to ministry of Transport

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, State officials and the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian during a tour of the Naivasha Inland Depot in Mai Mahiu. [File, Standard]

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) workers have hailed the decision to return the State corporation to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure by President William Ruto.

Dock Workers' Union (DWU) argued it was easy to manage transport ministry plans under one docket as opposed to the Jubilee regime which had domiciled KPA under the National Treasury.

"It was wrong for the former regime to transfer transport-related functions to a financial-related ministry. Dock Workers' Union went to court because of the same and the case is still unfinished but with the new development, we shall withdraw the case with costs," said DWU general secretary Simon Sang.

The more than 4500-member union also welcomed the appointment of the new chairman, Benjamin Tayari, saying he understands the transport sector and the port as a businessman and as former Kinango Member of Parliament.

Transport Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has also appointed Musa Osman, Emmanuel Kibet, Consolata Luswaeti, Lucas Maitha, and Njoki Maina as members of the KPA board of directors.

"After holding talks with the new chairman, it was clear workers' issues shall be taken care of," said Sang, while commending Murkomen for being sensitive to leakages in the port and taking personal initiative to fix the problem.

"The union will soon give a comprehensive report that will help the CS to not only seal the final loopholes, but also to bring back the glory of the port which for the last three years has been nosediving," said Sang.

The port workers also welcomed efforts to establish the Dongo Kundu special economy zone that is expected to create up to 100,000 new jobs.