Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto has urged the newly elected Dock Workers Union leadership to embrace unity, dignity, respect and constructive engagement as they begin their five-year term.
Captain Ruto said cooperation between the union and KPA management was critical to safeguarding the Authority’s operations, improving workers’ welfare and securing the future of the port workforce.
Abukar Mohamed Abdullahi was elected the new General Secretary after garnering 1,042 votes against his sole challenger, Salim Kumaka, who received 581 votes.
Gunda Kaneno won the National Chairmanship with 825 votes against Hassan Shabura’s 774 votes, while Abdalla Randani was elected National Vice Chairman with 597 votes.
Gideon Matiku secured the Assistant Secretary General position with 1,079 votes against Rashid Mwagasare, who polled 497 votes.
The results were announced by Dock Workers Union Election Chairperson Renson Toya following an election involving unionisable employees across various KPA facilities in Kenya.
Speaking after his election, Abdullahi pledged to pursue a constructive working relationship with KPA management.
“As we come to office, I want to thank the Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, for his boldness and commitment in addressing union issues. I want to assure him of our cooperation. We are not coming to engage him in battles,” Abdullahi said.
He said the new leadership would focus on restoring members’ confidence, improving employee welfare and building a stronger and more united union.
Kaneno also pledged to avoid unnecessary confrontation, saying industrial harmony was essential to maintaining uninterrupted operations at the Port of Mombasa, a key gateway for trade in East and Central Africa.
Said Mitsumi, Monica Wanjiru and Austin Ogolla were elected Executive Zone 6, Gender Zone 7 and Executive Zone 8 representatives respectively.
Seventeen officials were elected unopposed, including Idd Yusuf Mchangamwe as Treasurer, Naheel Hashil as Assistant Treasurer, Nuru Awadh as Gender Chairperson, Ramadhan Tadicha as Male Young Worker and Joan Kipropas as Female Young Worker.
The new officials will serve for five years, with their mandate including uniting members, strengthening welfare programmes, addressing outstanding workers’ concerns and maintaining constructive engagement with KPA management.
Captain Ruto has repeatedly called for peace, unity, transparency, dignity and teamwork within KPA, urging employees to recognise their collective role in safeguarding the Authority’s future.
“KPA is not about me or you; it is about the foundation we’re laying today for the generations to come. Let us work towards achieving positive goals,” Ruto said.
The new Dock Workers Union leadership takes office amid expectations that it will balance workers’ interests with the need to maintain industrial stability and uninterrupted port operations.
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