The selection of Captain William Kipkemboi Ruto as the new Managing Director (MD) of the Kenya Ports Authority has been greeted with enthusiasm by a cross-section of Mombasa County’s most prominent community leaders (KPA).
Captain Ruto will continue taking over for Ambassador John Mwangemi, who has been serving in an acting capacity since 2022. Captain Ruto will keep his position for another three years after taking over for Ambassador Mwangemi.
According to the community leaders of Likoni Sub-County, Cpt. Ruto has a wealth of experience in the maritime industry and launched his career at KPA in 1991 as a cadet marine deck officer.
They disregarded those individuals who objected to Cpt. Ruto’s validation is based on his ethnic background, arguing that it does not make much difference where the MD comes from but rather that his competence in the shipping industry is what is important.
The Port of Mombasa is the primary entry point for travellers entering the Eastern African region. It services a vast and quickly expanding hinterland that includes Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Northern Tanzania, the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia.
“William K. Ruto is the full package.”The leaders, who were led by Suleiman Mwakisanga, the chairman of the Wamiji Council of Elders, stated that Cpt. Ruto rose to prominence and has decided to hold prominent statuses such as General Manager (Operations) and Harbour Master, indicating that he has a strong provenance in the industry.
Mwakisanga stated that Cpt. Ruto has the intestinal fortitude to ensure that the authority accomplishes its mandate given his vast amount of experience working in ports. This will be vital in ensuring that the authority fulfils its mission.