On Saturday, the KPA board approved radical changes in 12 departments, just a week after Captain William Ruto was named the new managing director of the parastatal.
“The management of the authority, appreciating the enormous responsibility bestowed upon it, and for the better execution of its mandate, undertakes the following staff reorganisation to align its human resources to its new strategic direction,” reads the KPA’s board statement.
The KPA general manager human resource Daniel Ogutu has been transferred to Shimoni port in Kwale as the project manager.
On Sunday, the DWU secretary general Simon Sang said they are extremely happy with the changes effected and removal of Ogutu from HR docket.
In an interview with the Star, Sang said dock workers have for the last three years been complaining of Ogutu’s high-handedness in dealing with workers’ welfare.
“Workers are extremely happy with the changes effected, especially in the Human Resource Department,” he said.
Sang said the KPA needs to go back to its traditional port practices based on efficiency and customer satisfaction
“For the past three years, the port had drifted to operating like a common inefficient government department of the 1990s. Everyone got tired and it was terrible,” the secretary general said.
Ogutu was blamed by the staff for cutting off some of workers allowances and benefits, including overtime allowances.
His position has now been taken over by Irene Mbogho, who was the principal human resource officer (administration and discipline).
Linda Shako, who was principal human resource officer (manpower Services) will now take over Mbogho’s position as principal human resource officer (administration and discipline).
Catherine Njoroge, senior human resource officer (planning), will now be the acting principal officer (manpower services).
Anderson Mtalaki, who was the general manager engineering services and personal assistant to the immediate acting MD John Mwangemi has been sent back to be the principal engineer dock yard.
His previous promotion to head the engineering docket had caused some undertones within the Port of Mombasa, as some senior KPA staff felt he did not deserve the role.
Mtalaki’s role has now been taken over by Eng Julius Tai, who was previously working at the head of container terminal engineering.
The DWU has also celebrated the return of Peter Masinde, who was the port operations manager, Lamu port, back to be manager container operations at Mombasa port.
“They are also happy with the coming back of Masinde to take over the container terminal operations and they are saying they will demonstrate their appreciation by working harder than before,” Sang said.
The secretary general said the staff will now focus on breaking records and ensuring the Port of Mombasa moves to position one in Africa.
Other senior staff who have been affected by the new changes include Mary Wangai, who was the human resource manager in Mombasa, has been posted to the Port of Lamu in the same capacity.
Symon Kibira Wahome, who was manager container operations in Mombasa, has been transferred to Nairobi Inland Container Depot in the same capacity.
Engineer Zaharani Bwengo, who was the principal terminal engineer (mobile plant) will now be the acting manager container terminal engineering and his position will be taken over by Anthony Ndungu, who was the senior depot engineer (ICDS).
Collins Ogolla, who was the senior ICT officer in Lamu, will be ICT officer (terminal operation services).
Last Monday, while taking over as the new managing director, Captain Ruto, said he will strive to ensure the port performance improves.
He urged the KPA staff to desist from the issue of absenteeism and work towards improving the performance of the port.
"KPA is a premier institution and I promise to do my best to make the port a true economic hub in the region. We want to start breaking records, we want to show our bosses in Nairobi that we understand our work," Ruto said.
Captain Ruto is a seasoned mariner who started his career in 1991 at KPA as a cadet marine deck officer before rising through the ranks to be a general manager, operations and later a harbour master.
Until last week’s appointment, Ruto was the general manager of the Kisumu Port.
