Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has announced a new recruitment drive aimed at strengthening its institutional capacity and enhancing service delivery across its diverse operational areas. As a Commercial and Strategic State Corporation, KPA holds a central role in maintaining, operating, improving, and regulating Kenya’s sea and inland waterway ports. With the Port of Mombasa serving as a major gateway to East and Central Africa, KPA continues to expand its workforce to support its strategic vision of being a competitive global and regional maritime hub.
The Port of Mombasa, one of the busiest along the East African coastline, provides direct connectivity to over 80 global ports. It serves a large hinterland comprising Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Northern Tanzania, Southern Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia. To sustain operational efficiency and support growing cargo volumes, KPA is seeking high-performing individuals who demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to public service.
This recruitment targets multiple technical, operational, administrative, maritime, and health-related roles. Each position is designed to strengthen specific functions within the Authority, ensuring effective port operations and improved service delivery. The roles also offer competitive basic salaries and an opportunity for qualified candidates to advance their careers in the maritime and transport infrastructure sector.
This article provides a detailed overview of all available positions, alongside comprehensive job descriptions for each role to guide prospective applicants as they prepare their submissions.
Position 1: Graduate Trainees
Basic Salary: KES 76,156 – 108,767 per month
Job Description
The Graduate Trainee role at Kenya Ports Authority is designed to build a competent talent pipeline that supports future leadership and technical needs of the Authority. Trainees undergo a structured rotational program that exposes them to different functional departments, allowing them to gain practical experience and a deeper understanding of port operations.
Key responsibilities include participating in departmental rotations, contributing to ongoing projects under supervision, supporting data collection and reporting, observing and adhering to operational procedures, participating in research and analysis tasks, and providing administrative support where required. Graduate Trainees also assist in process documentation, performance monitoring, and the implementation of various improvement initiatives across the Authority.
This position is suited to individuals who demonstrate strong analytical skills, adaptability, eagerness to learn, and the ability to work in fast-paced environments. The role further requires high ethical standards and commitment to professionalism, given the strategic importance of the Authority’s operations.
Position 2: Administrative Assistant
Basic Salary: KES 67,317 – 85,554 per month
Job Description
The Administrative Assistant plays a key role in supporting departmental operations by executing clerical, office management, and administrative tasks. This position is important in ensuring smooth workflow within assigned units and contributes directly to the efficiency of daily operations.
Core responsibilities include managing office correspondence, maintaining filing systems, organizing documents, scheduling and coordinating meetings, preparing reports, updating records, receiving visitors, and handling telephone inquiries. The Administrative Assistant also supports travel logistics, maintains confidentiality of sensitive information, and ensures compliance with office procedures and administrative policies.
This role requires attention to detail, the ability to multitask, a structured approach to office work, and strong organizational skills. The Administrative Assistant supports various officers and managers, providing essential services that contribute to departmental productivity and service delivery across the Authority.
Position 3: Artisan
Basic Salary: KES 67,317 – 85,554 per month
Job Description
The Artisan role provides technical support within maintenance and operational units of the Authority. Artisans work in specialized areas depending on their trade, such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, welding, mechanical fitting, electrical work, or similar fields.
Their responsibilities include performing routine maintenance, repairing equipment and infrastructure, fabricating components, supporting installation work, maintaining workshop tools, adhering to safety standards, and reporting defects to supervisors. Artisans contribute to preventive maintenance schedules by conducting regular inspections, identifying potential hazards or mechanical problems, and participating in corrective interventions.
This role requires hands-on craftsmanship, technical accuracy, physical fitness, and a strong understanding of safety procedures. Artisans ensure that operational equipment and facilities remain in optimal working condition to support smooth port activities.
Position 4: Technician
Basic Salary: KES 76,156 – 108,767 per month
Job Description
Technicians support technical operations across engineering, marine, electrical, mechanical, civil works, and related departments. They assist engineers by carrying out technical tasks that ensure proper installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of machinery, systems, and infrastructure.
Key functions include conducting technical inspections, diagnosing problems in mechanical or electrical systems, performing routine and corrective maintenance, calibrating equipment, interpreting technical drawings, supporting project implementation, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Technicians also maintain detailed maintenance logs and participate in departmental reporting.
This position requires practical technical competence, accuracy in execution, and the ability to work collaboratively in high-pressure operational environments common in port settings. Technicians directly contribute to reliable port operations and maintenance of essential equipment and systems.
Position 5: Pharmacy Attendant
Basic Salary: KES 67,317 – 85,554 per month
Job Description
The Pharmacy Attendant supports pharmaceutical services within KPA’s health facilities. This role ensures efficient management of pharmacy operations under the supervision of a senior pharmaceutical professional.
Primary duties include assisting in issuing medications, maintaining inventory, organizing shelves, ensuring proper labeling, restocking supplies, preparing dispensing records, and supporting customer service for patients collecting prescriptions. The Pharmacy Attendant also helps in monitoring stock levels, identifying shortages, receiving deliveries, and ensuring storage conditions meet required standards.
This role calls for precision, confidentiality, adherence to medication handling protocols, and strong organizational skills. It supports patient care by ensuring timely and accurate dispensing of medicines within the Authority’s health service units.
Position 6: Coxswain II
Basic Salary: KES 76,156 – 108,767 per month
Job Description
Coxswain II is responsible for operating and navigating small marine vessels within the Authority’s maritime operations. This role plays a key part in supporting transfer services, inspections, emergency response, towing operations, and general water transport activities conducted by KPA.
Responsibilities include safely navigating vessels, conducting routine checks on engine performance, ensuring compliance with marine safety protocols, transporting personnel and goods, maintaining navigational logs, and reporting mechanical issues. The Coxswain II also participates in rescue operations when required and supports enforcement of maritime operational standards.
This role requires a high level of maritime operational discipline, strong understanding of marine safety procedures, and physical readiness to handle emergencies and demanding sea conditions.
Position 7: Laboratory Technologist
Basic Salary: KES 100,660 – 132,290 per month
Job Description
The Laboratory Technologist provides critical diagnostic and analytical services within KPA’s medical facilities. The role ensures accurate laboratory testing in line with medical standards and supports clinical decision-making processes.
Key duties include collecting and preparing biological samples, conducting laboratory tests, calibrating and maintaining laboratory equipment, validating results, maintaining quality control systems, preparing reports, ensuring biosafety, and supporting clinicians with accurate diagnostic information. The Laboratory Technologist also ensures compliance with laboratory protocols, maintains inventory, and supports safe disposal of laboratory waste.
This role requires precision, adherence to medical guidelines, strong analytical capabilities, and strict observance of quality assurance procedures. It plays an integral role in delivering effective healthcare services within the Authority.
Position 8: Pharmaceutical Technologist
Basic Salary: KES 100,660 – 132,290 per month
Job Description
The Pharmaceutical Technologist provides professional pharmaceutical services within KPA’s medical facilities, ensuring safe and effective handling, dispensing, and management of medications.
Key responsibilities include preparing and dispensing medicines, advising patients on proper medication use, maintaining pharmacy records, overseeing inventory, ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical regulations, preparing extemporaneous formulations where required, monitoring drug interactions, and assisting in procurement of pharmaceutical supplies. They also participate in clinical support activities and ensure that storage and handling of drugs align with regulatory and safety requirements.
This role is essential in maintaining high healthcare standards within KPA, ensuring patient safety, and facilitating accurate dispensing practices across medical units.
Position 9: Assistant Ferry Master
Basic Salary: KES 100,660 – 132,290 per month
Job Description
The Assistant Ferry Master supports the overall operation, navigation, and safety of ferry services within the Authority’s maritime functions. This position works under a senior ferry master to ensure that ferry operations run smoothly, safely, and in accordance with maritime laws.
Responsibilities include assisting in vessel navigation, monitoring ferry operations, supervising loading and offloading procedures, ensuring passenger safety, overseeing crew activities, performing routine vessel inspections, maintaining logs, and reporting equipment defects. The Assistant Ferry Master also assists in coordinating emergency response procedures and ensuring strict adherence to maritime operational protocols.
This role demands strong leadership under maritime conditions, strict observance of safety procedures, and the ability to work effectively in high-traffic and fast-paced marine environments.
Conclusion
The Kenya Ports Authority recruitment drive presents an exciting opportunity for individuals seeking to build a career within one of the region’s most important maritime and logistics institutions. Each role contributes directly to improving service delivery, enhancing efficiency, and supporting the Authority’s long-term strategic objectives. With a competitive remuneration structure and diverse fields of specialization, KPA offers a conducive environment for professional growth and public service.
Interested applicants are encouraged to review the detailed job descriptions and prepare their applications ahead of the stipulated deadline.
Deadline for applications: 20th December 2025
