Newly-elected Dock Workers Union officials have accused senior Kenya Ports Authority managers of interfering in union affairs following an alleged break-in and vandalism at the union’s Mombasa headquarters.

The incident occurred at Dockers House along Jomo Kenyatta Avenue early Tuesday, weeks after fresh elections installed Abukar Mohamed Abdullahi as the union’s new Secretary-General.

The officials alleged that former Secretary-General Sulman Owuor was among about 10 people who entered the offices and vandalized property.

Police officers from Makupa Police Station reportedly arrested two people allegedly found inside the premises, while others escaped.

Speaking at Dockers House, Abdullahi claimed the break-in was aimed at interfering with evidence linked to allegations of financial impropriety within the union.

“Today they broke into the offices so that they can destroy evidence. We reported that money was stolen and the matter is being investigated by the Banking Fraud Investigation Unit,” Abdullahi alleged.

He also claimed the former union leadership was receiving support from some senior KPA officials and influential businesspeople with interests at the Port of Mombasa.

Abdullahi said he raised the alarm after arriving at the offices and finding unfamiliar people outside his office and signs that some rooms had been forced open.

“When I arrived at the offices in the morning, I saw unfamiliar people standing at my doorstep and some offices had been broken into,” he said.

He added that he first reported the incident at Makupa Police Station, where officers allegedly described the dispute as a civil matter, before escalating the complaint to the regional police headquarters.

“I was not satisfied, so we went to the regional police office and were issued with an OB number,” he said.

The union held fresh elections on August 13, 2026, bringing in a new team to represent about 5,000 members.

National Vice-Chairman Abdalla Randani said the new leadership was focused on workers’ welfare and wider concerns affecting port employees, including the debate over the future management of port operations.

“There are issues affecting workers at KPA, including employees’ welfare and port privatisation. It is our duty as a union to address these issues,” Randani said.

Assistant Secretary-General Gideon Mativo said the leadership was relying on security agencies to investigate the incident and establish those responsible.

“We were told that 10 people accompanied by the ousted Secretary-General were seen vandalizing the offices,” Mativo said.

“When we arrived, we found two people, who were arrested. We have faith in the security apparatus and believe the culprits will be brought to book and the motive behind the incident established.”

Union Treasurer Idd Yusuf Mchangamwe said the new officials had already assumed office after the elections and questioned who was allegedly supporting attempts to disrupt their work.

“Our offices have been broken into and vandalized. We are wondering who is backing these actions because, since we were elected, we have assumed office and we are the rightful office bearers,” Yusuf said.

National Gender Representative Nuru Awad warned that continued leadership wrangles could affect workers’ morale and productivity at the port.

“The tussles we are experiencing are going to affect work output and performance at the port,” Awad said.

The officials called for a full investigation into the alleged break-in and urged union members to remain united as the new leadership takes charge.

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