By Joyce Kifalu |March 17,2026
Human rights organizations in Mombasa County have raised concerns over the recent recruitment exercise at the Mombasa Port, calling for greater transparency and accountability in the process.
Speaking to the media on 17th March 2026 at the offices of HAKI Africa, the lobby groups, led by the host organization, emphasized the need for the Kenya Ports Authority to ensure fairness in hiring and prioritize employment opportunities for residents from the Coast region.
The organizations argued that the port remains a key economic hub for the region, and local communities should directly benefit through job creation.
At the same time, Francis Auma, an Emergency Officer at Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), criticized Coast region leaders accused of politicizing the recruitment process for personal gain. He urged leaders to focus on advocating for fairness rather than using the issue to score political points.
The human rights groups have now called on the port authority to publicly release the full list of applicants, as well as the names of those successfully recruited. They also want a clear explanation of the criteria and procedures used in selecting the successful candidates.
The organizations insist that transparency in the recruitment process will help build public trust and ensure equal opportunities for all qualified applicants.
