Kifwa hails KPA’s stakeholder engagement, terms it forward looking

KPA managing director Captain William Ruto during a breakfast meeting with Kifwa leadership on Friday / BRIAN OTIENO

KPA managing director Captain William Ruto awards a certificate of recognition to a port stakeholder on Friday / BRIAN OTIENO

KPA managing director Captain William Ruto [C] during a breakfast meeting with Kifwa leadership on Friday / BRIAN OTIENO

The Mombasa port is set for a major facelift with services expected to improve even further, if the words Kenya Ports Authority managing director Captain William Ruto are anything to go by.

Captain Ruto, during a breakfast meeting with the leadership of Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (Kifwa) in Mombasa on Friday, reiterated the authority’s commitment to improving efficiency even further.

“This will be through strategic modernization programs that will see automation of even the processes at the gate, where some are still manual,” Captain Ruto said.

The KPA boss said they are implementing key initiatives to enhance operations and support the government’s development agenda.

“These include the upcoming dredging works to accommodate larger vessels, the construction of Berth One at Dongo Kundu to serve the Special Economic Zone, and the ongoing construction of Berth 19B to boost capacity at the Port of Mombasa,” Captain Ruto said.

Kifwa Coast region chair Rajab Hamisi lauded efforts by the authority to ensure smooth operations and efficiency at the port, saying turnaround times have improved translating to better profits for stakeholders.

Hamisi however said more should be done adding that the Mombasa and Lamu ports should be the best in the world in the next few years.

“But this can be achieved if we work together. Forums like these help us air our views in more relaxed manner and we also get to understand the workings of the port better, especially when the times are busy like these holiday times,” Hamisi said.

The Kifwa Coast chair also said the professionalism and resilience of the Kifwa members has ensured issues that come up are quickly raised and addressed.

Captain Ruto said the authority has acquired energy-efficient cargo-handling equipment, including rubber- tyre gantry cranes aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing vessel turnaround time.

This, he said, is part of the modernization efforts.

“Automation will play an important role in streamlining processes within port operations,” he said.

The Lamu port, Captain Ruto said, is fast attracting business, ensuring the LAPSSET Corridor stay busy.

“It is for this reason that we will soon host your delegation soon at the Lamu port, so you can see how things are moving there,” the KPA boss said.

Captain Ruto and Hamisi said they should continue engaging with each other, saying dialogue unlocks potential.

“The invitation I received from you is a welcome gesture that strengthens stakeholder relationships. We value this partnership and promise to work closely with Kifwa to advance the logistics industry,” Captain Ruto said.

This comes as other port stakeholders hailed Captain Ruto’s leadership saying it has helped turn the port around.

Pwani Ni Kenya chairman Alex Kasuku said the managing director’s leadership skills have seen an extra motivated workforce.

“The way the port has been performing over the last few months is down to a motivating leader. That is why we have been seeing record numbers at the port.

“Which brings me to a question I have seen being touted around. Why do we want to change a working formula?” Kasuku posed.

He said the recent reports of a proposed scrapping of the general manager positions at the port have sent panic among the workers, which could lead to negative effects.

“We have heard that there is a circular from the ministry directing the KPA board to scrap the general manager positions. This move is ill-timed and will only negate the excellent work done at the port so far.

The state says that the positions are uneconomical.

The court ruled that these positions are unlawful and unconstitutional.

Thirteen senior management positions are affected by the directive.

They include general manager (GM) Engineering, headed by Julius Tai, GM Finance (Geoffrey Kavete), GM Supply Chain (Everlyne Shigoli, GM Infrastructure (Mathiu Amutu), GM Lamu Port (Abdulaziz Mzee), GM Cargo Operations (Sudi Mwasinago), GM Ferry Services (Bakari Gowa), GM Corporate Research and Planning (Everline Mwamure) , GM Corporate Services (Edward Kamau), GM Internal Audit (Fred Oyugi) and GM Marine Operations (Captain Patrick Onyango).

According to a circular by Transport CS Davis Chirchir, the new changes are focused on port efficiency.

However, Kasuku said the move has been dine in haste and needed time for deliberations.

“My fear is there might be a negation of the good work the MD has been doing over the last about three years,” Kasuku said.