Daniel Ogutu together with Anderson Mtalaki who are the General Managers were the biggest causalities in the new reshuffles, transfers, and demotions that affected thirteen top managers at the Kenya Ports Authority.
KPA Board Chairman Benjamin Tayari said the changes that started on last week were aimed at bolstering service delivery and correcting mistakes committed in the past.
Board chair said KPA undertook the changes to align its human resources to its new strategic direction for efficiency and profitability, adding that there is no witch hunt in the new changes.
The chair said the board meeting that decided on the changes sat on March 10 after the new Managing Director William Ruto was Gazetted. In the meeting it was established that some of the affected managers were planning to move to court after receiving the letters to challenge the changes saying they were illegal.
Anderson Mtalaki, who served as the General Manager Engineering Services was demoted and will serve as the Principal officer at the dockyard. Mtalaki was promoted last year. His promotion however, was challenged by Mombasa-based human rights activist, Julius Ogogoh. According to court files, Mtalaki jumped two grades from a principal officer to a General Manager.
Mtalaki will be replaced by Julius Tai as the acting General Manager Engineering Services. Tai was the head of the container terminal.
Meanwhile, Ogutu whose tenure as the General Manager of Human Resources and Administration has also been dogged with controversy was moved to head Shimoni Port in Kwale County.
Ms. Irene Mbogo who was the Principal Human Resource officer is now the acting manager human resource.
Ms. Mary Wangui who was the Human Resource manager has been transferred to Lamu. She will be the manager at the Lamu Port currently headed by Vincent Sidai as the General manager.
On the other hand, Peter Masinde who was the manager in charge of Lamu Port operations has been transferred to Mombasa Port as the manager in charge of container terminal.
Also Antony Ndugu who was a senior depot engineer at the Nairobi Inland Container Deport has been promoted to Acting Principal Engineer in Mombasa.
Ms. Catherine Njoroge who was a senior human resource officer (Planning) has been promoted to acting principal officer manpower services.
Ms. Linda Shako who was the principal human resource officer (manpower) has been moved to head administration and discipline.
