A group of registered seafarers Movement at the Coast has cast doubt on the realization of the countries’ Multi-Billion shillings blue economy sector citing continued exploitation and discrimination of sea men by foreign shipping companies operating on Kenya’s terrestrial waters.
The emergence of the splinter group, different from the renowned sea seafarers union of Kenya, now dips the government’s plan to exploit the Blue economy into disarray as rival groups resurface repositioning themselves to agitate for seamen rights.
The new splinter group composed of majority ‘Old aged Sea Men’ led by Chairman Albert Adebesa, now wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to initiate a complete overhaul of the Kenya Maritime Management over what they termed as incompetence and with integrity questions.
Adebesa claims the Kenya Maritime Authority Board of Management is composed of ‘Incompetent’ public officers who are non conversant to the values and principles of Public service especially touching maritime sector.
“We have our demands that we want addressed if we want to achieve the blue economy. One we demand the reshuffle of officers in management of Kenya Maritime Authority KMA and deploy competitive public officers,” said Adebesa.
The group chair now questions how the KMA board of management was initiated without the involvement of seafarer representative saying hundreds of sea men have been suffering in the hands of rogue employers at the expense of incompetent maritime management.
“Most private recruitment and placement agencies which are licensed here in Kenya for crewing agency demand payment for one to gain employment on board-ships,where we are also forced to sign contracts against the set MLC 2006 Regulation,” said Adebesa.
A Kenyan sea fearer earns at most 300 USD per Month amount the players say was too little to sustain their families upkeep.
Secretary general Japhet Wafula demanded that the government initiate the involvement of seafarers in the Blue economy programes and processing policy making where we will contribute our interests saying the significant group had been sidelined.
“We demand an investigation of Alpha Logistis Services,Cormaco Ltd ALBA Petroleum ltd for contravening the national and international employment laws.Why do we have employees continue suffering yet we have competent Authority in Place,” claimed Wafula.
The group has so far registered over 600 members and targets to increase its membership to 5,000 by the end of the year as it sticks to its role of advocating and promoting the rights of Kenya sea fearers.
Their concerns emerge as the government, late last year pledged to review the pay of 2,500 seafarers cautioning their union members against disagreements.
The reknown Seafarers Union of Kenya under Chairman Daudi Hajj has been engulfed in divisions threatening the implementation of Maritime sector programes.
Maritime principal secretary Nancy Karigithu has been vocal maintaining that a strong union was paramount for the seafarer’s success.
Karigithu also announced that the government agencies was seeking to establish wage standard and wage regulations that will fully address the plight of over 4,000 seamen across the country.
The regulation according to the Karigithu seeks to set fair competition and a level playing ground for quality owners of ships flying the flags of countries that have ratified the convention. She however warned the seamen union against wrangles which she termed unhealthy for sector growth.