The Port Workers Welfare and Performance Group [PWWPG] wants former Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] Managing Director Brown Ondego to stop misleading the government over the privatization of the port of Mombasa.
They said Ondego’s calls on the government to privatize port operations were misleading.
The welfare led by their Secretary General Ali Khamis reacted just days after Odengo called for the privatisation of the port arguing it will improve service delivery and make it efficient, Ondego was speaking at the inaugral East Africa Maritime Awards held last weekend at a Mombasa hotel.
In a statement jointly signed by the welfare chairman Waweru Kamau and the organizing Secretary Peter Ouma availed to media houses Juma said Ondego, despite being awarded a lifetime achievement award during the ceremony, was not in a position to call on the government to privatize port operations.
He accused Ondego of seeking cheap publicity yet he was invited like a stakeholder and former KPA MD.
“Ondego’s remarks are testimony that he is a bitter man after being relieved of his duties at the authority,” he pointed out.
Khamis has also petitioned the government to confirm the current KPA acting MD Daniel Manduku.
He notes that Manduku has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that he is fit and suitable for the position to spearhead port operations.
“Manduku is one of the best technocrats remaining in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration who deserves such an opportunity when it arises,” he argued.
He further urged the regional politicians and port stakeholders to rally behind Manduku to ensure he is confirmed.
“Let President Kenyatta in his wisdom consider confirming Manduku on contract for a three-year tenure,” he said.
