A storm is brewing in Mombasa after leaders led by Governor Abdulswamad Nassir raised concerns over the recent Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) recruitment process, terming it opaque and potentially skewed against local residents.
Last year, KPA advertised 296 permanent and pensionable jobs that attracted over 500,000 applicants. The positions include Artisans (50 slots), Technicians (50), Administrative Assistants (100), Graduate Trainees (70), Assistant Ferry Masters (8), Laboratory Technologists (5), and Pharmaceutical Technologists (5).
Some successful applicants have already undergone a series of online aptitude tests, but many now remain in limbo regarding the next steps, as social media circulates unverified claims that selections have been finalized and employment letters issued.
Governor Nassir, speaking during the issuance of NG-CDF bursaries in Changamwe Constituency, said residents have been demanding answers from their leaders about what transpired in the KPA recruitment process four months after the vacancies were advertised.
“We want to know how many children from Changamwe have been recruited for those vacancies. We want to know how many from Nyali, Kisauni, Likoni, Mvita, Jomvu and other parts of Mombasa have benefited,” the Governor said.
“If you see leaders speaking out, it is not their personal voice. They are speaking on behalf of vulnerable people who depend on them. Every vessel that docks must pass through the waters of Mombasa. Any cargo destined for East Africa passes through here. The railway begins here, the pipeline begins here,” he added.
The Governor vowed to continue pressing for answers until the people of Mombasa receive their fair share of the KPA job opportunities, arguing that residents should benefit from the parastatal headquartered in their city.
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi echoed the Governor’s sentiments, noting that despite hosting major parastatals such as KPA, Mombasa lacks adequate representation in their boards of directors.
He also cited the Kenya Maritime Authority, saying that despite its Cabinet Secretary hailing from Mombasa, the Authority similarly lacks local representation on its board.
“Is that fair? All these parastatals are based here, yet there is no one from Mombasa. This is the time to speak out, this is the time to be heard, this is the time to raise your voice, and this is the time to be counted as a man or woman in politics. If you fear, why did you join politics?” said the visibly agitated legislator.
He emphasised that leaders must change the mindset that prevents them from agitating for the rights of their constituents. “We must change. I don’t fear. At my age, nothing scares me,” he said.
Mombasa County Assembly Deputy Speaker Fadhili Makarani said many applicants had completed aptitude interviews but were only receiving messages indicating that the interviews were successful.
“What baffles us is that we are hearing that some people have already started going for medical check-ups. As leaders, we must work together to establish which youth have been recruited. We are not opposed to the recruitment being national, but we also want our youth to be prioritised. This will significantly reduce the perception that Mombasa youth are drug addicts,” said Makarani.
By Sadik Hassan
