A proposal to privatise a section of the port of Mombasa has divided locals. 

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A section of residents in the port city have opposed the move and allege that they were not consulted despite President Uhuru Kenyatta announcing his support for the initiative. 

The opposition from the Kenya Seafarers Welfare Association comes after the Dock Workers Union (DWU) threatened to sue the Government after the Head of State led other stakeholders in signing of an agreement between Kenyan Government, Kenya National Shipping Line (KNSL) and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) concerning takeover of the second terminal on Monday. 

Other beneficiaries in the deal are German firms Unimar and DEG.

In an interview aired by KTN on Thursday, some of the Seafarers Welfare Association leaders claimed that those who attended the function graced by the President were fake officials. 

Led by Association's chairperson Captain Harasa Abdalla Mwanzuki, they alleged that they have been marginalised in terms of employment and educationally. 

The seafarers also stated that lack of certification has disadvantaged them despite having more skills than the internationally recognised cadets.

Mwanzuki's claims were supported by Hamisi Mzee who requested the DWU to stop engaging itself in the tussle. 

However, he defended President Uhuru's support for the privatisation saying that he is under pressure from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO).