Rights Groups File KPA Recruitment Petition Over Alleged Irregular Hiring

Civil rights groups filed a court petition in Mombasa County challenging the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) recruitment exercise.

They allege KPA hired more than 600 people against only 296 advertised positions, locking out qualified Coast region candidates.

Vocal Africa led the filing at Mombasa Law Courts. The Mombasa Community Group and other partner organizations joined the petition.

The groups allege KPA violated its own internal procedures. They warn the irregular appointments could cost taxpayers billions of shillings.

KPA Recruitment Petition Mombasa: What the Groups Allege

The petition states that KPA advertised 296 positions but hired over 600 individuals. The petitioners allege that more than 400 of those appointments lacked proper procedural basis.

Hussein Khalid, Vocal Africa Executive Director, said the process lacked transparency.

“The process did not follow the laid down procedures, rules and regulations by KPA itself,” Khalid said. “Over 400 people were hired against the laid down procedures.”

In addition, the petitioners allege KPA used online interviews during the selection process. They argue KPA’s own regulations require physical interviews only. Candidates must appear in person with their documents.

Meanwhile, the groups claim most of those selected came from outside the Coast region. They cite what they describe as a legal requirement on Coast employment quotas. ForwardPressKe could not independently verify this claim before publication and is seeking the specific legal provision.

Community Leaders Accuse Politicians of Failing Coast Youth

Mikdad Hemed Abdalla, Chairman of the Mombasa Community Group, said the groups followed up with the responsible Permanent Secretary before going to court. Those engagements did not produce results.

“We were told it was 296 positions, but they were not 296. It was almost 600,” Abdalla said. “KPA violated its own regulations heavily in the recruitment itself.”

Furthermore, Vocal Africa Coast Coordinator Walid Sketty accused local politicians of failing to hold public institutions to account on employment. He said leaders focus on political competition rather than advocating for Coast youth.

“Our politicians want these youth to remain jobless so that they can be given a few hundred shillings at political meetings,” Sketty said.

As a result, the groups ask the court to order KPA to disclose the full recruitment process, justify all appointments, and review the selection against applicable rules.