Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has fired former Starehe MP Maina Kamanda's son, Michael Maina, from the Board of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
The revocation of Maina's appointment was announced in a gazette notice issued on June 7 which stated: "In exercise of the powers conferred by section 4 (/) of the Kenya Ports Authority Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development revokes the appointment of Michael K. Maina as a member of the Board of Kenya Ports Authority."
His sacking comes days after KPA MD Cathrine Mturi-Wairi was suspended following a decision of the board.
Issuing a press conference, Maina explained that the board reached the conclusion to sack her over incompetence that had seen systems at the port fail to function efficiently.
[caption caption="Maina Kamanda's son Michael (L) with Daniel Manduku"]
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"This has led to serious systems congestion of the port. The board observed that the above situation can only be explained by lack of effective leadership," he stated.
However, on Tuesday, a Mombasa High Court temporarily reinstated Wairi after a motion was filed by Mombasa resident Emmanuel Kenga, who argued that her removal was unprocedural and unconstitutional.
Issuing the ruling, Justice Erick Ogola blocked the appointment of Daniel Manduko as the MD.
Earlier in May, CS Macharia, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, Adan Mohamed (Industrialisation) and Joe Mucheru (ICT) stormed the KPA offices at midnight to investigate corruption and massive cargo losses at the port.
Ms Wairi had to return to work at 11:30 pm to respond to queries raised by CS Mohammed on the inefficiencies in the port that saw a backlog of cargo in the facility.
“Why are we claiming the port is operating normally yet things are not working the way they are supposed to be?" the CS is alleged to have posed to the MD.
[caption caption="Kenya Ports Authority"]
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