Kenya: The Dock Workers Union elections are underway across the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) network, with unionizable employees turning out to elect officials to key leadership positions within the workers’ union. Polling stations open at 6:00 a.m. and are scheduled to close at 6:00 p.m.
The election gives eligible members a full 12 hours to cast their ballots. It is taking place across KPA’s operational facilities, extending beyond the authority’s headquarters in Mombasa to Kisumu Port, Lamu Port, Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD) and Nairobi ICD.
Several candidates are contesting prominent positions in the union leadership. The General Secretary race features Abukar M. Abdullahi and Salim Hamisi Kumaka, while Gunda Kaneno and Hassan Adan Shabura are competing for the National Chairman position.
As per the sources, the National Vice Chairman position has attracted four candidates – Abdalla S. Randani, Amini Musya, Moris Morangi Mayega and Shafi Ali. Meanwhile, Gideon Matiku and Rashid G. Mwagassare are contesting for the position of Assistant General Secretary.
A midday spot check by reporters at several polling stations is being conducted, including the KPA Headquarters, Mobile Plant & Engineering, CT1, MCC, Baggage Hall and Dockyard, which indicated that the voting exercise was proceeding peacefully and without major disruptions.
Reportedly, the voters were observed arriving at polling stations and casting their ballots in an orderly manner, with election officials overseeing the process throughout the day.
The elections are expected to determine the union’s leadership and shape its representation of workers on issues affecting employees across KPA’s various operational locations.
Furthermore, the voting will continue until the official closure of polling at 6:00 p.m. Election officials will thereafter begin the process of tallying results from the different polling stations.
The final results are expected to be consolidated and announced later, bringing to a close. A closely watched election that will determine the next leadership of the Dock Workers Union.