Author: Patrick Beja
AfricaPress-Kenya: A union has questioned the award of Mombasa Port berths to a private firm, which has put up a bulk handling facility.
Simon Sang, the Dock Workers Union secretary general said the allocation of Shed 7/8 to a private firm was unprocedural and should have been done with the approval of Parliament and the Privatisation Commission of Kenya.
“We challenge the transfer of the of Berth 7/8 and shed to a private company as this is against the Kenya Ports Authority Act Cap 391. We will not allow the illegal transfer,” Sang said.
The union said the private firm associated with the family of a politician has started operations at the shed and was installing a hopper machine for discharge and storage of fertiliser at Shed 7/8.
But KPA management denied the union’s claim, saying no private firm was allowed to operate illegally. Head of corporate affairs Bernard Osero said several private companies that work at the port obtained leases after going through proper procurement procedures.
“I am not aware of any private company operating unlawfully at the port. Many imports at the conventional area are handled by private firms that operate legally. KPA only provides the berths and pilotage services,” Osero said. But Sang insisted there was a problem with the award of berths to the firm.
