A Civil Society Organization and a section of youth in Mombasa have defended the recent recruitment of 296 employees by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), dismissing allegations of irregularities
Last year, KPA advertised 296 permanent and pensionable jobs that attracted more than 400,000 applicants. The positions included artisan technicians, administrative assistants, graduate trainees, assistant ferry masters, laboratory technologists, and pharmaceutical technologists.
Last Friday, Vocal Africa, She Rises, and Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) filed a petition at the Mombasa High Court challenging the recruitment process, accusing KPA of failing to publish a shortlist of successful applicants and lacking proper communication.
Executive Director of Concerned Citizen Kenya, Bradley Ouna, said the organization initially had reservations about the shortlisting process, prompting them to write to KPA for clarification.
He said the authority responded within a week, explaining how the recruitment exercise was being conducted to the satisfaction of the organization.
Ouna now maintains that the recruitment process was transparent, inclusive, and fair, adding that his organization monitored the exercise closely.
“As an organization, we were satisfied that the recruitment process was free and fair and devoid of favoritism. We allowed them to continue with the exercise. They needed 296 people while the applicants were over 400,000,” stated Mr. Ouna.
“It is not an easy task selecting applicants within three or four months,” he added, noting that some individuals were bent on politicizing the recruitment process despite successful applicants already having been employed.
Mr. Ouna described those who moved to court seeking to quash the appointments as opportunists with hidden agendas, arguing that concerns should have been raised earlier during the recruitment process.
“That is unfair to the successful applicants. Some resigned from previous jobs to take up the KPA positions. If there were concerns with the process, a case should have been filed earlier when interviews were ongoing before appointment letters were issued,” said Ouna.
He warned against politicizing the recruitment exercise, noting that KPA is a national asset and that all Kenyans are eligible for employment regardless of county or tribe.
He further alleged that some civil society organizations were being used to derail KPA operations through unnecessary litigation.
“If you were not there during the interviews, if you did not see the need to audit the interviews, and if you did not question the board and the managing director during the interviews, then this is the time to keep quiet. Let those employed work because it is unfair to them,” he said.
Mr. Ouna termed attempts by some human rights activists and politicians to challenge the recruitment process as hypocritical, claiming that some individuals were seeking preferential treatment while pretending to oppose favoritism.
“We know some people are using their positions to extort the management of KPA. We urge KPA management not to give in to extortionists,” he added.
Mr. Omar Bwika, who successfully secured the position of administrative assistant, said he received a call from KPA after applying and later underwent a rigorous interview process before being informed that he had been successful.
“The process was flawless. I did not encounter any challenges. I am not connected to any politician or godfather. I simply applied and got recruited. I was not asked to pay anything,” said Bwika.
Mr. Abdulhakim Abdalla, an unsuccessful applicant, said he attended interviews for the fireman technician position but was not selected, expressing hope of securing a position in future opportunities.
“Some are claiming the process was flawed, but the truth is that people want to be spoon-fed. Some of us applied fairly. I think those complaining had been promised those positions and are now disappointed because they were unsuccessful. Everyone has their own time, and when it comes, they will succeed,” said Mr. Abdalla.
By Sadik Hassan
