The Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) has been accused of corruption and discrimination in allocation of resources to seafarers to support their dreams.
Speaking in Mombasa a group of seafarers complained of lack of transparency and accountability within the shipping industry, among other concerns.
Hassan Kombo a veteran seafarer from Mombasa said that seafarers have great opportunities around the world, since they can now obtain jobs in the ship and make a fortune, but they instead miss out on a lot of chances due to bad leadership.
Kombo and his counterparts called upon the Cabinet Secretary for Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho to visit Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) and sit with the seafarers to discuss the challenges they are facing and get solutions.
He claimed that the CS should call in those institutions who offer maritime courses relevant to seafarers, noting that the government’s academy is now undermined with seafarers getting concerned since the courses are costly at private colleges.
He noted that they do not approve the current leadership of the shipping sector adding that they have had leadership in the past with them not objecting orders and directives since there was no discrimination.
“As seafarers we are one, we do not discriminate on race or religion, we would not want any leader to discriminate against us in allocation of resources,” he said.
At the same time the Capital Youth Caucus Association (CYCA) has condemned KMA for misuse of public office and lack of accountability.
CYCA, which is a right defending group, accused the authority noting that it has received numerous complaints from members of the public regarding mismanagement, abuse of office, corruption, poor governance, and underhand dealings involving tendering process.
CYCA Secretary General Evans Momanyi said that they will drain the swamp through legally mandated channels.
“CYCA has continued to play the role of watchdog on KMA. We have previously raised serious issues touching on the very core of Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution 2010 and relevant statutory provisions and regulations being violated by management and board of directors of KMA,” said Momanyi.
He asked relevant authorities to conduct investigations on any corruption or violation of codes of ethics or other matters prescribed under this Act or any other law enacted pursuant to Chapter Six of the Constitution based on the various issues raised.
He said that their organization received complaints from seafarers, businesspeople, suppliers who have been working with the authority of complaint of discrimination, extortion, and abuse of office by some senior officers asking the firm to bring the matter out for attention.
He reiterated that they are objective in holding public officers accountable when placed to oversee public offices and that they are not targeting anyone urging those in charge to use public funds effectively so that the youth can benefit, through the blue economy sector.
He said it is the Board of Directors’ responsibility to check and supervise that there is integrity, transparency, and accountability.
“Youth are grappling with unemployment, with some joining juvenile gangs, the money embezzled can be used to train youth to advance for further education and secure a stable source of income,” said Momanyi.
He noted that the organization has written to various government agencies to check into the matter with supporting documents highlighting in detail the complaints by some concerned citizens.
By Chari Suche
