The race to succeed Daniel Manduku as managingdirector at the Kenya ports authority (KPA) attracted 10 candidates by the closure of the submission of applications.

According to a source the number of applicants is the lowest compared to previous years when the post fell vacant.

Out of those who have applied for the post 98 percent are from KPA.

Only two General Managers from the authority have not joined the race to succeed Manduku. These are General Managers Corporate Services Edward Kamau and Operation and Harbour Master Captain William Ruto.

KPA board of directors chairman Major (Rtd) Joseph Kibwana and his  team will be the centre of attention to see how they will conduct the interviews to choose a new managing director to steer the port of Mombasa to the next level.

The issue of work  experience and  knowledge of port operations will determine who is the  best candidate to take over from Manduku.

Among those who have applied for the job is Patrick Nyoike is the general manager finance, former general manager for corporate services Justus Nyarandi.

Nyaradi is currently Executive Secretary of the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA)  based in Mombasa  county.

Others who have applied for the job include acting Managing Director Rashid Salim, general manager in charge of the Lamu port Abdullah Samatar and Sudi Mwasingo who is in charge of the Kisumu port. KPA Head of strategy at the Kisumu port Inland Container Depot Yobesh Oyaro who had served  as procurement manager and in the audit department and former general manager engineering eng Ouma Atonga are also in the race.

Meanwhile Nyali Mp Mohammed Ali has called for a free, fair and just process in finding the new MD.

''We are aware of vested commercial and political interests engineered by people in and outside KPA who want to take control of the port. We are watching" said Ali

Adding ''Personally, I want to call upon the Board of Directors to ensure the recruitment is free, fair and just failure to which we shall use all avenues available to demand fairness, justice and accountability.;.

The Mp also proposed that the next MD be a local.

He charged "All other public institutions are manned/headed by persons from that county and region. Coast residents in particular deserve top priority. As the county that hosts the port, it is only fair to give the top chance to a local. Coast Kenya has experienced competent technocrats with the ability to lead KPA. Let them be considered"

The post fell vacant after Daniel Manduku resigned  as the managing director last month.

KPA advertised for the position of the managing director early this month with the deadline being set as April 24.