MOMBASA, Kenya — Abukar Mohamed Abdullahi has been elected the new General Secretary of the Dock Workers Union after securing a decisive victory in the union’s just-concluded elections.
Abdullahi garnered 1,042 votes to defeat his sole challenger, Salim Kumaka, who received 581 votes, according to results announced by the Dock Workers Union Election Chairperson Renson Toya.
The elections brought together unionisable employees from various polling stations across Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) facilities in a closely watched exercise that produced a new leadership team expected to serve for five years.
Abdullahi’s election places him at the centre of the union’s engagement with KPA management on issues affecting dock workers, including employee welfare, working conditions and labour relations.
Gunda Kaneno elected National Chairman
Gunda Kaneno was elected National Chairman, defeating Hassan Shabura by 825 votes to 774.
Abdalla Randani secured the position of National Vice Chairman, polling 597 votes.
He was followed by Moris Mayega with 409 votes, Shafi Ali with 404 votes and Amini Muasya with 179 votes.
Gideon Matiku was elected Assistant Secretary General after receiving 1,079 votes, defeating Rashid Mwagasare, who garnered 497 votes.
The results were tallied after voting by union members at polling stations serving KPA facilities across the country.
Other officials elected
Said Mitsumi, Monica Wanjiru and Austin Ogolla were elected to serve as Executive Zone 6, Gender Zone 7 and Executive Zone 8 representatives respectively.
Seventeen other officials were elected unopposed to various positions within the union.
They include Idd Yusuf Mchangamwe as Treasurer and Naheel Hashil as Assistant Treasurer.
Nuru Awadh was elected Gender Chairperson, while Ramadhan Tadicha and Joan Kiprop were elected Male Young Worker and Female Young Worker representatives respectively.
The executive positions were filled by Alice K. Saha (Executive 1), Maurice Mwanyule (Executive 2), Shadrack Kerepei (Executive 3), Harun Hammo (Executive 4), Mohamed Chilembi (Executive 5) and Matano Shakomboa (Executive 7).
The gender representatives elected unopposed were Christine Mwagande (Gender 1), Mariam Hassan (Gender Zone 2), Donzia Izaka (Gender Zone 3), Zaitun Ali (Gender Zone 5), Mary Achieng (Gender Zone 6) and Lilian Onyango.
