Kenya: MPs Up in Arms Over Plans to Privatise Port

Ten MPs from Coast Province claim plans to privatise the port of Mombasa were being driven by selfish and tribal interests.
The lawmakers, in their statements, said that some tycoons and politicians were working on plans to own the profitable State corporation by colluding with senior government officials.
Led by Fisheries Development Minister Amason Kingi, they said this is why former managing director James Mulewa was hounded out of office to pave way for the scheme.

Ten MPs from Coast Province claim plans to privatise the port of Mombasa were being driven by selfish and tribal interests.
The lawmakers, in their statements, said that some tycoons and politicians were working on plans to own the profitable State corporation by colluding with senior government officials.
Led by Fisheries Development Minister Amason Kingi, they said this is why former managing director James Mulewa was hounded out of office to pave way for the scheme.
He said the region's residents had a right to have their interests taken into consideration on matters relating to the port.
"A right is not a favour. We have been pushed to the wall and we are saying enough is enough," the minister said.
He spoke on Sunday afternoon during the commissioning of Mrima Secondary School. The 10 area MPs attended the function. Construction of the school was funded by the Likoni CDF kitty at a cost of Sh16.7 million.
Kisauni MP Hassan Joho argued that the port only required a management overhaul to perform effectively, saying, its facilities are of better quality than those of other regional and international ports.
"We have sufficient equipment to make Mombasa port operate effectively. We may talk of the management change and not the status," he said.
Mr Gideon Mung'aro (Malindi) and Mr Thomas Mwadeghu (Wundanyi) accused the port management of being disrespectful of Coast leaders.
Education assistant minister Calist Mwatela (Mwatate), who was the chief guest at the event, said the port is a key public asset that "cannot be sold to a few individuals".
"We have public assets like railways and ports in Germany and Britain and there is no way the governments will allow privatisation of such facilities and we can't be the exception," he added