Nyali MP Hezron Awiti has opposed the privatisation of the port of Mombasa.
Speaking during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa, Awiti said the privatisation of the port is likely to sabotage the county's economy.
Awiti, who has declared interest in the Mombasa gubernatorial race, said the setting up of a dry port in Eldoret and Naivasha among other areas will also have a negative impact on the economy of the region.
Deputy President William Ruto has however denied the claims, saying the national government has no plans of privatising the port services.
Addressing Dock Workers Union members in the recent past, Ruto said the Jubilee government has invested a lot of money in the port, thus is not ready to hand over the operations to private individuals.
Awiti’s sentiments come a few days after a court ordered the Mombasa County government to refund revenue collected from the port.