The management of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has dismissed reports by section of Coast Members of Parliament (MP) that the government is planning to privatize the ports of Mombasa and Lamu.
According to KPA Chairman Benjamin Tayari said the concession process by leasing parts of the assets of the two ports is meant to boost efficiency, enhance revenue collection, and create job opportunities.
Tayari was speaking after a board meeting involving officials from KPA and the Kenya Revenue Authority.
“Some of the stories which are coming out are not true, one thing I want to say is that KPA is not doing privatization, what we are doing is something called concession,” said Tayari.
Further, the KPA Chairman explained that there is a significant difference between privatization of the ports and concession.
“Privatization means that we are giving away the port and another private investor to run the port.
What we are doing is leasing some of our assets out to private investors to be able to bring more business to the port and generate more revenue to the country,” stated Tayari.
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Governor Sherrif Opposes Privatization
Speaking on Tuesday, September 19, Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir said the county will not support plans to privatize the Port of Mombasa.
Governor Sherrif Nassir questioned the procedure used to decide on privatizing Mombasa Port and no other government parastatals.
“Why can’t the government privatize Kenya Airways so that planes can also land here in Mombasa? Anytime we raise this issue they say they are working on it and now they want to privatize Mombasa Port? said Sherrif.
Further, the governor asked Mombasa leaders to unite and oppose the privatization plan like their fellows from sugarcane growing areas did.
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Additionally, Governor Sherrif said their silence does not mean that they support the suggestion.
Also, he warned that privatization of the Mombasa port will lead to loss of job opportunities for locals.
“Some people are telling to go slow, I want to ask the Cabinet Secretaries and officials from Public Board present here, what has the national government done to the people of Mombasa,” asked Sherrif.
In addition, Governor Sherrif explained that he will use the voices against any form of dictatorship.
Also, he mentioned that he was opposed to the privatization even during his time as Mvita MP.
