Mombasa based youth organisation Cardinal youth association has come out to defend Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Captain William Ruto over claims of discrimantion on job opportunities and tenders.

According to the association Secretary General Evans Momanyi, some the claims are untrue and sponsored to taint the image of Captain Ruto.

"We are aware that there are some individuals who are not comfortable with the changes that the MD has initiated at the port. These individuals are the ones now fighting back" argued Momanyi.

Adding " We have never recorded a high number of locals and youths being employed and getting tenders at KPA like it is with during the tenure Captain Ruto. I would like to urge the MD to continue with the good work he is doing and not focus on those bad elements."

On his part Ali Omar, a member of the association called on the youth to focus on developments and avoid 'being used ' by individuals with 'selfish interest'.

"It's very unfortunate that our fellow youth are being used, we need to get out of this behaviour and focus on how we can work together for developement." Said Omar.

They were reacting to claims by Youth from the six coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta led by their leader Amani Mkare from Kilifi County who  have threatened disruption at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) facilities in Mombasa and Lamu if continued discrimination on jobs and tenders in the parastatal is not checked.

The group also argued President William Ruto pledged to give them job opportunities during campaigns in 2022, a pledge they claim has not been honoured.