This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
Kenya Ports Authority has taken drastic measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus at the port, reducing the number of workers from 6,200 to 4,000.
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the agency aims to further reduce the number to 3,500 staff members who will be responsible for core functions.
Those who will remain at the port will be responsible for operations such as offloading incoming cargo and loading outgoing ships with cargo.
CS Macharia assured that staff working from home will be paid by the Authority, stating, "During the period that they will be working from home, we shall pay them because it is not their fault that we have this situation."
The move comes after the Agency announced on April 14 that 7 of its employees had tested positive for the coronavirus, while 2 had died.
As part of the measures, Macharia advised staff to stay at home if their services are not critical to the port, and to take leave where possible.
On May 6, the Cabinet Secretary made the announcement during the coronavirus daily brief, where it was reported that the number of cases had increased by 42 in the last 24 hours to bring the total count to 582 across the country.
