Mombasa, Kenya – Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) workers have received an early Christmas gift following the government release of the financial year 2020/21 bonus payment.
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen approved the KSh 700 million payment to KPA workers, saying that they deserve it for their productive work.
Ruto’s plan to award public workers
Speaking during the award ceremony on Tuesday, December 19, at the KPA headquarters in Mombasa, Murkomen said the bonus aligns with President William Ruto’s promise to reward public workers for better performance.
“This award is in accordance with President William Ruto’s promise to improve public services through recognition of public officers who improve efficiency and delivery of services to the public. The achievement is the product of the teamwork that Port workers have shown in delivering on their mandate. This has earned them appreciation and contributed immensely to a smooth flow of global maritime trade by providing competitive port services,” said Murkomen.
KPA Managing Director William Ruto acknowledged the employees’ exemplary performance that has elevated the ports’ score globally.
Mombasa Port cargo capacity in 2023
Ruto projected that Mombasa Port alone will handle 35 million metric tonnes of cargo by the end of the year 2023.
“Efficiency and productivity of the port has been on an upward trajectory with this year’s performance target set to be surpassed. The port is projected to handle 35 million metric tonnes of cargo throughput by the end of the year,” said Captain Ruto.
The port recorded total cargo throughput growth of 1.587 million tonnes (5.1%), having handled 32,950,000 tonnes in January-November 2023, compared with the same period in 2022.
CS Murkomen noted that the growth arose from an increase in the handling of transit cargo by 1.017 million tonnes.
He said that KPA should now compare with ports like Singapore and others, claiming that they have passed local and regional benchmarks.
“Sometimes it is good to compare ourselves with our neighbours, but also it is good to compare with the best ports in the world. We are now focusing on the port of Singapore and other global ports,” Murkomen added.
He stated the government’s commitment to improving the business environment through its agencies, as it aims to create employment opportunities and lower the cost of living for Kenyans.