Hiring of KPA boss to begin afresh, Yatani says

The government intends to re-advertise the vacancy for the managing director’s position at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) after the process was cancelled prematurely in August.

Sources says the government cancelled the hiring process following allegations of favouritism and partisan politics at the deeply divided KPA board.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani told the Nation that the process will begin afresh and the new advertisement is expected to be placed in the local dailies in the next few days. 

Speaking in Mombasa, Mr Yatani said KPA wants to recruit an individual with a high degree of integrity and professionalism, impeccable administrative capabilities and strategic orientation.

Sources indicate that, the board received more than 150 applicants and only eight were shortlisted to attend interviews at Hazina Towers in Nairobi mid-August. However, behind-the-scenes lobbying was reported to have scuttled the process.

KPA advertised for the position on April 7 after Daniel Manduku resigned in March following months of battling graft allegations.  The hiring was also marred by court petitions, but most were dismissed by different courts for lacking merit.

Those reportedly lined up in the race to replace Dr Manduku include the authority’s three top managers Vincent Sidai (the general manager, infrastructure development), Yobesh Oyaro (former procurement head) and Abdullahi Samata (former general manager,  infrastructure development).