Millions of shillings are said to be exchanging hands to influence the appointment of new Kenya Ports Authority managing director. Tycoons in influential port business are raising millions to compromise the entire process as they know that once the new MD takes over, they will get lucrative tenders in the expansion of their business empires.
The recruitment will not be based on merit but to the highest bidder, according to sources well versed with the process.
The war is said to be so fierce to an extent that those eyeing the plum jobs have even engaged various state security agencies not to clear potential competitors. The parent ministry will have the final say and power brokers are reaching out to those who can help.
Mombasa governor Ali Joho is using ODM leader Raila Odinga to push his own interests together with Mohammed Jaffer of Grain Bulk Handlers. Jaffer and Joho are close to Raila and want him to use the “handshake deal” to prevail upon PUhuru Kenyatta to have their own choice in the mantle. It is said that Raila and Jaffer recent dinner at Mombasa discussed the new KPA managing dircetor factor.
Former KPA general manager who was sacked alongside others over allegations of corruption at the port of Mombasa is among individuals seeking to replace Daniel Manduku as managing director in interviews to be conducted next month.
Justus Nyarandi, formerly general manager corporate services was dismissed from KPA in 2016 alongside then managing director Gichiri Ndua, Twalib Khamis, Muthoni Gatere and Mohamed Morowa allegedly based on a report compiled for Uhuru by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and National Intelligence Service.
Transport cabinet secretary James Macharia was then quoted saying the top managers were relieved of their duties following an investigation that unearthed malpractices, including tax evasion and entry of contraband cargo yet no one has been charged top face the law.
The anti-corruption stance against the corrupt cartels at the second container terminal by Dock Workers Union officials resulted into their sacking en-mass by the disgraced Ndua team which wanted to secretly favour a company fronted by a notorious Mombasa businessman said to be controlling port operations through remote control.
The sacked union officials have never been reinstated nor compensated by KPA as directed by the court which upheld that their dismissal was unfair. Last December, the union officials petitioned Uhuru and ODM leader Raila to address their plight but it is not clear if there has been any response.
Back to Nyarandi, the Mombasa businessman behind his move has reportedly told him to apply for the KPA MD’s job and leave the rest of the work including lobbying KPA, board of directors and State House to him. He brags that there is nowhere he will not reach to make him the next port MD.
Another figure using political connections to lobby for the admired post is Vincent Sidai, the KPA GM for infrastructure. It is said one Ken Lunani of ANC is the broker behind his bid. Lunani boasts to be close to wheelerdealers allied to the CS Macharia. Sidai is also using Ruto to have his objectives meet.
Abdulahi Samata, GM Lamu port is being pushed to go for the post by a senior Somali politician. The GM human resources Joseph Ogutu is being encouraged to apply for the post but he is currently the most unpopular among employees for introducing chaotic human resource policies that have seen workers become paupers.
Philip Charo and Anold Mkare, both from Kilifi, are also in the race. Charo was a parliamentary aspirant for the Malindi seat in the last general elections. Before that, he was an adviser to Transport CS Macharia. Before venturing into politics in 2015, Charo had been Coast regional manager of NIC bank.
Mkare is the county secretary for Kilifi county government. He is a close associate of a top military man Samson Mwathethe whom he is relying on to push his bid.
Joseph Atonga has also applied for the post. For many years, he served as GM engineering services.
The current acting MD Rashid Salim is being fought from all angles by a section of top managers who fear he could endear himself to the appointing authority during his acting period and hence, be confirmed.
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