Shippers caution CS Joho about the revolving door at KMA corner office

 Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho (left) addressing the press during a tour of the KMA Offices in Mombasa on August 19, 2024.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

Stakeholders in the maritime sector have raised concern over frequent changes in the top leadership at the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), saying they could harm programme planning and implementation.

The sector regulator has made a series of changes in its management, following a warning by Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Ali Hassan Joho when he took over office that lax officials would be kicked out.

Five months after the CS's warning, the positions of Director-General and Board Chairman have undergone shakeups, which observers link to the CS's previous statements.

In September last year, barely a month after Mr Joho came into office, the then KMA Director- General Martin Munga was sent on compulsory leave for alleged incompetence. He had served for just about nine months.

Last week, Mr Hamisi Mwaguya who, as board chairman, defended the move to send Mr Munga on compulsory leave terming it as housekeeping, was stripped of his role.

In a gazette notice released on Friday, January 17, Mr Mwaguya was appointed as non-executive chairperson of the Business Registration Service Board for a three-year term.

In November, during a function at the Bandari Maritime College which was also attended by Mr Mwaguya, Mr Joho reiterated his accusations against KMA management.

This time, he claimed that the agency was frustrating the inclusion of maritime programmes in various tertiary learning institutions to give a chance to youth interested in employment opportunities in the sector.

He further threatened to replace top leadership if the situation persists.

“You cannot stop us from growing and I cannot keep on repeating myself or else you’ll know that I’m the CS and you’re not. I want to tell you, it will be done, it must be done and if anyone is against it, he will get out of my way. I’ll find someone else to do it,” he lashed out.

Key maritime stakeholders have however asked the government to handle maritime management with caution to facilitate easy policy implementation.

Kenya Ships Agents Association incoming CEO Elijah Mbaru said the government should appoint people with knowledge and trends on shipping matters to steer the agency.

"KMA needs to be run by maritime professionals either individuals with commercial shipping knowledge or Seafarer Capt/Chief Engineer. These people understand international trade and also all maritime regulations," said Mr Mbaru.

Mr Munga was sent home at the height of an alleged bungled search and rescue mission of a boat that capsized in Lake Turkana and questionable recruitment of 30 new staff in a case that is being investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC).

EACC on August 30, 2024, wrote to KMA seeking information about the recruitment and deployment of its staff after complaints from the public and civil societies.

The naval architect and ocean engineer had been appointed on December 15, 2023, succeeding Mr John Omingo, who served as the acting Director General for 18 months and was to hold the position for three years.

The board handpicked Julius Koech as acting Director-General in his place.

On the other hand, Mr Mwaguya who has worked and served in various maritime entities, gaining invaluable experience and insight into the maritime sector was replaced by former Wajir West MP Ahmed Kolosh Mohamed.

Mr Kolosh, before he was appointed KMA chairman, was a non-executive chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board.

“Constant changing of KMA leadership creates huge gaps of institutional memory and unfinished projects especially on internationally hedged regulations and policies.

“It denies the industry a progression pattern as more often than not, the persons who come in don't continue with formulated agendas and structures and instead start their own,” said Mr Mbaru.

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