Ruto thwarted plans to grab port, says Gachagua

Gachagua said the port had been “stolen by lords of impunity.”

The DP was speaking in Mombasa on Thursday afternoon when he officially opened the 119th edition of the Mombasa ASK international Show at the Mkomani grounds.

He said the plot was hatched towards the tail end of the then President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

“I would like to confirm to the people of the coastal region that the President Ruto administration has thwarted efforts to steal the Port of Mombasa by the lords of impunity, state capture and conflict of interest,” Gachagua said. 

He said were it not for the Kenya Ports Authority board of directors' patriotism and refusal to allow that to happen, the port would be on private individual’s ownership by now.

“The President has already directed the new Transport and Infrastructure CS Kipchumba Murkomen to do an audit of the port facilities and establish what else has been stolen by them with a view of restoring the port to the people of Kenya,” the DP said.

He reiterated that the government will protect the port, saying that it is a national resource that belongs to all Kenyans.

The DP put on notice individuals eying the port, saying that the government was on watch and was coming for them.

“The port had been stolen. The one you were electing was silent about it, but since we took over, the first executive order the President issued was to return port operations back to Mombasa. This was done and we have faith that the region’s economy will turn around,” he said.

The DP has promised to return to Mombasa to tour the port to see how business is flowing, adding that the government has every intention to revive the region’s economy.

He added that the Kenya Kwanza administration was committed to looking into the issues affecting the region going by the number of appointments issued to people from the Coast.

While naming his Cabinet, the President appointed former Malindi MP Aishwa Jumwa to head the Public Service and Gender docket and former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya was handed the Mining and Blue Economy docket.

Former Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi was elected Senate Speaker and Kilifi MP Owen Baya elected deputy Majority leader in the National Assembly.

Gachagua called on the region to rally behind President Ruto.

“You all heard people saying bad things when the President appointed this hero (Aisha Jumwa) to Cabinet. Many looked down upon her because her father is not known, but she astonished them when she appeared before Parliament for grilling," the DP said. 

"The President and I have faith that she is going to be of great help to us.” 

Gachagua also called on national government public administrators to not cause any conflict between the national government and the county government.

He asked them, led by the regional commissioner down to chiefs, to respect Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and work with him because he was elected by Mombasa people.

“We have told them that there is no competition between the national government and the county government, we were all elected to work for Kenyans and that is the new direction," the DP said. 

Gachagua said what was happening before of leaders being disrespected has reached an end, adding that the country had gotten freedom and that all leaders will be given the respect they deserve.

He said that public servants are good people only that the previous administration was engaging them in matters not outlined in their duties, that is campaigning for Azimio.

“We want to encourage our officers from the national administration that the Ruto administration will not deploy you to do politics because that is not your job description," Gachagua said. 

“Our administration will deploy you to bring development to the people you lead, bring security and create peace and harmonious existence among the people, that is your mandate and that is the mandate you will execute in this new administration.” 

The DP called on the police to act professionally and respect the rule of law and the constitution as they execute their mandate as he promised that the government will look into their welfare.

He said that since the former President Mwai Kibaki retired, the police never received salary increment or allowances, neither was their working and living conditions improved.

He accused the previous regime of misusing the police, adding that a number of people, especially from the Coast region were victims of extrajudicial killings perpetrated by a few rogue police officers.

“Our administration will change all these and it must begin from the top. We are asking our police commanders to give lawful orders to their juniors. Don’t take the law into your own hands, it is unconstitutional,” said the DP.

Gachagua said that if anybody is suspected of committing a crime, then the person should be investigated and taken to the court of law of competent jurisdiction and the court will make its findings and make an evaluation.

 

(edited by Amol Awuor)