Former officials of the Dock Workers Union (DWU) have issued a strong public appeal urging shadowy cartels to cease their interference with the operations of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto.
Led by Wycliffe Baraza and Paul Abisa, the group—accompanied by a contingent of Mijikenda Kaya elders—condemned ongoing efforts by unnamed actors to malign Captain Ruto’s name through orchestrated smear campaigns and sponsored activism.
Speaking at a media briefing, the former union leaders alleged that certain cartels had entrenched themselves in KPA’s electrical and procurement departments prior to Ruto’s appointment in 2023. According to Abisa, these entities wielded their influence to monopolize tender processes, effectively locking out other legitimate players.
“Captain Ruto dismantled their grip by introducing an automated supply chain system that ensures fairness and equal opportunity for all,”
Abisa stated.
The officials criticized the cartels for allegedly sponsoring activists and proxy campaigns to discredit the MD and other key departmental officers, calling on them to allow the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to conduct independent investigations without interference.
Baraza decried the smear tactics, warning that such propaganda only undermines the integrity of public institutions.
“It is unacceptable for individuals with vested interests to weaponize misinformation in a bid to regain influence,”
he said.
The statement comes amid ongoing scrutiny of KPA’s procurement processes and a wider call for transparency in public agencies.
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