KPA should have started with training

Retraining port users is good; indeed, it was an honorable gesture for Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to admit that the workers were having difficulties using the Kilindini Waterfront Project (Kwatos).

The system has caused chaos at the port, and retraining of workers is expected to help overcome the technical problems identified during the first week of operation.

While KPA had alleged that training was done in November last year, they have had to swallow the bitter pill and admit that it was not enough.

There were cases of port users forgetting or failing to get passwords for their e-mail addresses, and without a password, one cannot use Kwatos.

It was erroneous for KPA to assume that every port user or agent was knowledgeable in computers and could hit the ground running. KPA should have done research to asses the level of technical ability for users.

The other problem was that Kwatos could only run on Windows Explorer, and users had not been warned. Users with Mozilla browser were stuck, and KPA was responsible for delay and lack of diversity.

At the port, both users and KPA staff were stuck. No one could help the other, meaning that the system should have been introduced in stages, and training for users and staff should have been the first stage.