- On August 3, DWU backed Ruto, saying it was crystal clear Kenya Kwanza will form next government, they do not want to be left out.
- DWU said they it will support former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar of UDA, who is running for Mombasa governor.
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Kenyan Ports Authority employees will be the biggest beneficiaries of the government of President-elect William Ruto, the dock workers union has said.
The union in May initially endorsed Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga but switched its support to Ruto.
In an MoU by DWU, the union said Ruto’s government is expected to address port workers' key issues. These include reversion of port services back to Mombasa.
When President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered most freight be carried to the Inland Container Terminal via the SGR, many people, including clearing agents, truckers, hotels, stores and many other businesses suffered.
While campaigning in Mombasa, Ruto frequently and categorically said he will revert port services through an executive order as soon as he takes office.
However, on August 3, DWU threw its weight behind Ruto, saying it was crystal clear the Kenya Kwanza Alliance will form the next government and they do not want to be left out.
Secretary general Simon Sang led the DWU, Kenya Transporters Association, Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association and the Seafarers Union to support Ruto.
On Monday, Ruto was declared President-elect after garnering 7.1 million votes, against Raila’s 6.9 million votes.
Sang said they are hopeful all the issues captured in their MoU with Kenya Kwanza will be addressed as soon as possible.
The issues include reinstatement the annual bonus that KPA management discontinued without giving a reason.
“We want to be paid our three-year annual bonus being withheld held by the National Treasury, while our counterparts at KRA have continued to get paid,” Sang said.
“The performance and productivity bonus was also reduced to the extent that it is no longer an incentive and is inadequate," he said.
DWU also wants sacked KPA employees reinstated.
“There are three groups 28, 247 and 199. I will forward a detailed memorandum for the groups to the fifth president, William Ruto," he said.
DWU said they will now support former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, who is running for Mombasa governor on the UDA ticket. The election will be on August 23, rescheduled because of errors on the ballot papers.
Omar is battling Abdulswamad Nassir of ODM and five other candidates. It is his second run for governor.
DWU also wants a Kenya Kwanza government to help create more than 10,000 port-related jobs to help residents.
“We want KPA to revert to handling all cargo in Mombasa, as it was illegally and unprocedurally transferred to private entities inside and outside the port," Sang said. "They earn super profits at the expense of KPA."
“This will enable KPA to employ more citizens for decent employment on good terms and conditions."
He said to achieve this, KPA should build a mega Container Freight Station to consolidate all delivery services and thus create massive employment.
“This includes building a large second Inland Container Terminal Deport in Nairobi,” he said.
He also wants the next government to prioritise the free Port facilities in Mombasa Port and the related Special Economic Zones and Industrial Park at Dongo Kundu to create more than 100,000 decent jobs.
DWU wants the government to promote transshipment business at the Port of Mombasa and Lamu to make Kenya the main import and export hub in East and Central Africa.
(Edited by V. Graham)