Seafarers Elect New Officials In Mombasa to Lobby for Jobs

By George Otieno

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Salim Juma Mwamosa is the new seafarer’s welfare association chairman in election held in Mombasa County.

‎Mwamosa won with 73 casted votes against Haransa Abdalla who got zero (0) votes in elections held on Wednesday, 15th October, 2025 at Tononoka Social Hall.

‎Meanwhile, Said Juma Kandi was subsequently elected as the association’s treasurer after garnering 70 votes against his main challenger Charles Nalisi who only managed one vote.

‎In his victory speech, Mwamosa said he was ready to go, pledging to bring honour back to seafarers.

He ‎decried the neglect and wanton condition seafarers were living in, from lack of jobs in ships, training opportunities and age discrimination as the most pressing issues in the sector which needs immediate tackling.

‎”Growing up, my father was a seafarer, but he has nothing to show for it. Even these seaferers you see here today are really suffering since this industry has nothing for them. I want to bring back the respect that these people had.”

‎The new chairman also promised inclusivity in his leadership vowing to steer clear of welfare politics that has derailed the seafarers association and elections.

‎”We have not had elections for long because of wrangles within us. My leadership will be different,” he added.

The chair-elect expressed gratitude to seafarers for electing him despite his young age saying it underscores the commitment of members to see change in the sector.

‎He gave a timeline of four months for members to start seeing changes by the new team saying that actionable activities like lobbying for job opportunities for seafarers drawn from Likoni and Kisauni Subcounties were his top priority.

‎On his part, the newly elected treasurer Said Juma Kaindi vowed to intensify lobbying for the interests of the seafarers.

According to him it is disheartening that Kenya has put an age cap on seafarers thereby disadvantaging their members who have experience, but lack opportunities.

The government, according to seafarers, does not approve seafarers above the age of 60.

“Forcing Kenyan seafarers to retire at 60 when they didn’t even have those jobs in the first place is not only pure discrimination, but a disadvantage for us as a country. Other countries, do not have such discriminative laws,” he said.

There are certain jobs in the sector that can favour the over aged 60 seafarers such as manning ships, cooking and other menial jobs which will not strain them but offer them an opportunity to earn an income.

‎Hellen Ngao, Hamisi Mwamoyo, Hassan Mwafujo were elected unopposed as welfare secretary, assistant welfare secretary and assistant treasurer respectively.