Transport and infrastructure cabinet secretary Cs Kipchumba Murkomen has ordered for the recruitment of a new managing director MD to be in place by April 1,2023.
Murkomen who spoke at the KPA headquarters on Monday tasked the new Kenya ports Authority Board of directors to embark in the process of recruiting the new MD to replace outgoing MD Amb John Mwangemi whose tenure has expired.
At the same time,Murkomen cautioned the board against any external political interference in the selection process.
The new KPA board of directors is led by Former Kinango Mp Benjamin Tayari.
“We are in the process of recruiting a new MD,and today being the day a new board member takes office, I expect in a week’s time, the process of shortlisting and scheduling of interviews will begin. This will be followed by a transition process before we officially name the new MD by April 1,” said Murkomen.
They are tasked to coordinate among other things to ensure actualization of the Mombasa Port Special Economic Zone, the completion of the remaining Lamu port baths and other major infrastructural projects.
He added, “I want to assure you as the Cs I will not give you illegal orders or ask you to act or do anything against the law.As you take office you are not going to take individual decisions, you must act in unity to avoid bad decisions,’’
The cabinet secretary also expressed his dissatisfaction with the way KPA was structured saying in the near future the ministry will initiate a process to align functions and eradicate bottlenecks’ that have existed deterring the facility to be competitive.
“I am still not impressed with the way KPA is structured, we need to look at how we can streamline some functions and eradicate some bureaucracy to enable efficiency,” said Murkomen.
The Cs said his ministry will embark on a review of the tired 1979 KPA act so that it can be aligned with modern business models and make the authority as competitive as other regional ports of the African Continent.
“There is a need to make a review of the KPA act, and present it to parliament so that it can be strengthened to make the Authority competitive and align it with the current KPA strategic plan,” said Murkomen.
In his appointment, the CS picked one of the youngest board members ,26-year-old Caroline Njoki Maina, a Nyeri blogger. She is the youngest board member KPA has ever had.Murkomen said her appointment signifies commitment by the Kenya Kwanza administration to give equal opportunities to the youth.
Njoki who was unveiled among other board members yesterday is said to be a key participant during the campaign of President William Ruto before and during the August 9, 2022 General Elections.
“Her appointment is unique, I know it sparked a lot of reactions, but I want to assure you, she is here because she is qualified and young, she is up to the task, and this is a good gesture to the government that youth have equal opportunities, “said Murkomen.
