Abubakar Launches Campaign as Dock Workers Union Election Race Heats Up

Former Dock Workers Union (DWU) Assistant General Secretary Abubakar Mohammed Abdullahi has launched his campaign to become the union’s next General Secretary, becoming the first candidate to publicly declare his interest ahead of the August 13 election.

The Dock Workers Union election follows a court order that nullified the previous poll and directed the union to hold fresh elections within 60 days.

Abdullahi has already begun touring residential estates across Mombasa to seek support from union members.

Efforts to reach Suliman Otieno Owuor and Salim Kumaka who is in management, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to both went unanswered.

Court Ruling Reshapes Dock Workers Union Election

The fresh election stems from a ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Mombasa.

Justice Ocharo Kebira nullified the election that installed Suliman Otieno Owuor as General Secretary after finding it failed to comply with the union’s constitution.

The judge also declared the April election invalid and ordered a fresh vote within 60 days.

In the judgment, Justice Kebira noted that the Registrar of Trade Unions had received several objections to the disputed election but still proceeded to register the officials who had been declared winners.

According to the Dock Workers Union constitution, anyone seeking the General Secretary position must be an outsider. A serving employee intending to contest must resign after giving prior notice to the management.

Former Union Official Returns to Seek Top Seat

Abdullahi is among former Kenya Ports Authority employees who lost their jobs after participating in an illegal strike during the tenure of the late former KPA Managing Director Francis Gichiri Ndua under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

Despite his dismissal, he has returned to seek the union’s highest administrative office and has intensified grassroots campaigns ahead of the vote.

Meanwhile, DWU National Chairman Mohammed Mwasera has formally announced August 13, 2026, as the election date following the court’s directive.

In a circular sent to union members, Mwasera said the National Executive Council resolved to conduct fresh elections under the supervision of the duly constituted Election Board in line with the court order, the union constitution, and applicable laws.

He urged all eligible members to participate peacefully and responsibly and called on them to uphold unity, discipline, and respect for the rule of law throughout the electoral process.