Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has been sued by Dock Workers Union for giving Portside Freight Terminals Ltd exclusive rights to manage and run two sheds at the Mombasa port.
Portside Freight Terminals is owned by the family of Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho. Dock Union argues that KPA leased out the facilities without complying with the law and the Constitution.
“The ignorance of KPA to the importance of this facility cannot be allowed by those who care and have public interest at heart. KPA has acted unlawfully by allowing Portside Freight Terminals Ltd to own the sheds, provide warehousing, offload and load ships at the port,” said the union in an affidavit.
The union further notes that Portside Freight Terminals Ltd has installed massive handling equipment at the port and that the company is now handling bulk cargo effectively undercutting port workers.
- Meet gallant Kenyans aiming for elective posts in the US
- Joe Biden Reveals The First Thing He Will Do For America As A President
- US election 2020: 3 states Joe Biden must win to deny Trump a second term in office
- How US Electoral College Works Which Holds The Fate Of Trump And Biden
The union also said KPA contracted Mercantile Cargo Terminal Operations Ltd, to conduct cargo verification at the port.
It argues that there are no justifiable reasons for KPA to procure the lease and contract of services from Portside Freight Terminals and Mercantile Cargo Terminal Operations Ltd.
The union stress that KPA’s action is in a deliberate mode to place the jobs of employees and other port users in danger.
In its suit, the union is seeking High Court declaration that KPA has no power and authority to alter the organisation or to reorganise itself to an extent of causing substantial job loss to port workers. It also wants the court to declare the two leases unlawful.
Related: Mohamed Ali attacks Governor Hassan Ali Joho, tells Joho isn’t on Ruto’s level
