Roads, Transport and Public Works Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday unveiled the new Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Board of Directors.
Speaking during the event at the KPA headquarters in Mombasa, Murkomen tasked the board to recruit the new Managing Director through a competitive and transparent process.
He cautioned the board against any external political interference in the exercise to appoint the new CEO to replace Ambassador John Mwangemi who has held the post in an acting capacity since January 2021.
Murkomen directed the board to recruit the new MD by April 1, 2023 and warned the members against favoritism or any external interference in the process.
“My Ministry will ensure a smooth transition and the board should move swiftly and kick off the process and present me with the nominated list for approval,” said the CS.
Murkomen gave the board one week to go through the applications and do shortlisting for the interviews to commence.
He also tasked the board to coordinate the actualization of the Mombasa Port Special Economic Zone, the completion of the remaining berths at the Lamu port and other major infrastructural port projects.
Murkomen promised not to interfere with their work or give illegal orders, and urged the board members to work as a team to enhance port efficiency.
The CS expressed his dissatisfaction with the way KPA was structured saying in the near future the Ministry will initiate a process to align functions to make the port more competitive.
He noted that his Ministry will review the 1979 KPA Act so that it can be aligned with modern business models and make the port a maritime hub in the region.
“There is a need to review the KPA Act, and present it to Parliament for approval in order to improve services and also align it with the current KPA strategic plan,” said Murkomen.
At the same time, Murkomen rejected Mombasa County’s demand to share Port revenue with KPA saying it was against the law and introduction of illegal tax.
The government recently appointed former Kinango MP Benjamin Tayari as the Chairman of KPA Board of Directors to replace Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana.
The new board members are Njoki Maina, Musa Osman, Emmanuel Kibet, Consolata Lusweti and Lucas Maitha.
By Mohamed Hassan and Asiya Salat
