- "Gome must go!" one placard read, followed by "Remove overtime cap 30 per cent!" another one read.
- On March 10, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen appointed Captain Ruto to manage the KPA, for a period of three years.
Kenya Ports Authority employees on Monday welcomed the newly appointed Managing Director Captain William Ruto to the office.
With dances, claps and whistles Captain Ruto received a warm welcome, while other employees set their demands on placards.
"Gome must go!" one placard read, followed by "Remove overtime cap 30 per cent!" another one read.
On March 10, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen appointed Captain Ruto to manage the KPA, for a period of three years.
"The Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport appoints Capt. William K Ruto to be the Managing Director of the Kenya Ports Authority, for a period of three (3) years, with effect from the 10th March, 2023," a gazette notice reads.
Capt. Ruto is a seasoned mariner having 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 this appointment, he was the General Manager of the Kisumu Port.
The position of MD at KPA has been vacant for the last 3 years since the resignation of Daniel Manduku on March 26, 2020, over graft allegations.
Manduku had only served for two years since 2018.
The former KPA board, under the chairmanship of General (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana, advertised for the position in April 2020, but the interviews had to be suspended after the outbreak of Covid-19.
In February 2021, the board conducted interviews for six persons out of more than 150 who were said to have applied, however, the former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani rejected the names of those who had been shortlisted.
KPA workers welcome newly appointed MD William K. Ruto this morning. Mr Ruto is taking the helm after his appointment last week by Transport CS @kipmurkomen .
— ELKANA JACOB 🇰🇪 (@ElkanaJacobKE) March 13, 2023
The workers issued demands that needed urgent address by the new management.
Video @citizentvkenya
cc @CyrusOmbati pic.twitter.com/aoFQjd2ecQ