Senate Speaker Amason Kingi is under heavy fire for allegedly meddling in the affairs of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). Furious Kwale residents have accused Kingi of pushing political interests instead of focusing on his role in the Senate.
They claim the Speaker is working behind the scenes to block the renewal of KPA Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari’s contract.
The residents, who stopped short of naming Kingi directly, pointed fingers at a “powerful politician from Kilifi” with a long history in government. Their message was loud and clear: hands off KPA.
Residents Reject Kingi’s Meddling in KPA Leadership
Residents of Kwale County have openly rejected what they describe as unwarranted interference by Amason Kingi in KPA’s top leadership. Speaking at a press conference at Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa, local leaders said Kingi should stick to his Senate duties and stop meddling in port affairs.
Led by Patrick Mangale and Daniel Kitsao, the residents said they believe Kingi is scheming to replace Benjamin Tayari with a former KPA managing director from Kilifi.
Although they did not name Kingi directly, they made it clear who they were referring to by mentioning his previous roles as a cabinet minister and Kilifi county governor.
“What interest does he have in fighting Tayari’s contract extension?” Mangale asked. “We supported a Kilifi politician before when he was board chairman. Now it’s time for us to back one of our own, Tayari, because he has proven his worth.”
Mangale was accompanied by Mijikenda elders, who praised Tayari and the current KPA management team for transforming port operations. They cited remarkable achievements under Tayari’s leadership, including improved efficiency and record-breaking cargo handling.
Mangale added that KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto and Tayari have worked hand in hand to boost the port’s performance despite global challenges. “This team’s vision has created a business-friendly environment, which has helped the port thrive,” he said.
The group warned Kingi and his alleged allies to stop destabilizing KPA through backdoor political maneuvers.
KPA’s Record Performance under Tayari’s Leadership
Supporters of Benjamin Tayari highlighted the impressive milestones reached at the port since he took office. When Tayari and Captain Ruto assumed their roles, the port was handling 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
Within a year, that number rose to 1.6 million TEUs, and more recently, the port hit 2 million TEUs—an all-time record. These gains have translated into tangible benefits for employees. “Thanks to this performance, KPA workers recently received bonuses,” Mangale noted.
The leaders said the port’s turnaround is proof that the current leadership deserves to continue its work without interference. “It’s disturbing that while the port is growing and employees are benefiting, some politicians want to mess that up for their selfish gains,” Kitsao said.
Residents vowed to defend Tayari against what they termed as politically motivated attacks. They also urged the government to ignore Kingi’s lobbying and instead focus on maintaining the momentum at KPA.
“This port is the lifeline of the region’s economy. We cannot allow political battles to derail the good work that is ongoing,” Mangale stressed.
