The fear of massive job losses has struck the giant dock workers union (DWU), in the wake of governments planning to hand over Mombasa and Lamu ports services to private entities through concessions.
The dockworkers union (DWU), which represents over 7,000 Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) workers, has therefore asked that the plan be stopped until the process is undertaken through public participation with involvement of all stakeholders
Simon Sang,the dock workers union secretary general said the port will experience a decrease in direct employment if concessions take place but there will be an increase of more jobs outside the port.
Although they are not opposed to the concession plan, (DWU) top brass says the move will directly affect their members hence call for allocation of seven days, for all stakeholders to sit together, with experts to be able to identify the impact of the process to workers and on port oparetions
While Addressing press at their Mombasa office Sang blames the government for rushing the process hence going against the constitution.
On 6th September 2023 KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto invited sealed bids from eligible tenderers for the qualification of bidders for the development and operation of Port Assets through PPP.
Lamu Port Container Terminal Berth 1-3, Lamu Special Economic Zone Mombasa Port Berth 11-14 and Mombasa Container Terminal 1 are earmarked to be developed and operated through PPP.
Their concerns came after Azimio leader Raila Odinga said the plan for the concession of port services was shrouded in secrecy and without public participation as required in law.
Raila while addressing the press in Mombasa after a closed-door meeting with ODM governors on friday he criticised the National government for not involving Mombasa County leadership.
But speaking at Bomas of Kenya, the president dismissed reports that the ports will be privatised, promising the people of the Coast that The port will never be privatised
