KPA given greenlight to recruit new MD
By Tobby Otum
The government has given the Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] board a green light to conduct a fresh process to recruit a new MD to succeed embattled former MD Daniel Manduku.
In a signed letter availed to the media, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani has directed KPA board of directors chairman Joseph Kibwana to recruit a new MD within 45 days.
Yatani’s letter copied to his transport counterpart James Macharia and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua directed that the process must be concluded within the stipulated period.
The government move follows the failure by six candidates shortlisted for post to meet the required threshold of above 70 percent pass marks.
Former Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Corridor chief executive officer Silvester Kasuku came third after he managed to score 63 per cent marks.
Both former Principal Secretary at the Gender ministry Mwanamaka Mabruki who has previously worked at the port and Murshid Rashid who is maritime expert tied with a score of 67 per cent marks.
The three candidates who were among six shortlisted candidates failed to meet the pass marks of 70 per cent.
According to a source KPA acting managing director Rashid Salim got a lee way after the government extended his three months contract following failure to get a KPA MD from six shortlisted candidates.
Rashid was not among those shortlisted to succeed Manduku.
The failure buy the three candidates to meet the threshold required for the position forced the government to go back to the drawing board as it is set to re advertise for the controversial post.
The move to extend Rashid’s contract will be the last since he is expected to proceed to his annual leave pending his retirement end of this year.
Things may be more complicated in the recruitment process as KPA board of directors chairman Joseph Kibwana is expected to exit mid this year.
Other shortlisted candidates who sat for interview for the top post were James Ng’ang’a who is currently Infrastructure Director – Northern Corridor at TradeMark East Africa and who previously worked at the port of Mombasa, former KPA General Manager Human Resource and Administration Dr Amani Komora and KPA General Manager in charge of Kisumu port Sudi Mwasingo who made his second attempt for the post.
Murshid failed to be appointed Director General of Kenya Maritime Authority [KMA] to replace Major (Rtd) George Nyamoko which elicited varied reactions from elected leaders from the coast region.
Controversial KPA General Manager Finance Patrick Nyoike was locked out of the race as he is facing economic sabotage charges in court.
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