Will Nassir walk the talk on Mombasa port restoration?
By Reuben.Mwambingu, September 1, 2022Mombasa Governor-Elect Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir, who won the Monday election, will find a full in-tray when he assumes office in a week’s time or so.
Nassir, who beat UDA’s Hassan Omar to become the second governor of the Coastal county, will for one be expected to come up with a solution to the Mombasa port problems, which was a hot issue in the contest.
Other key priorities that await Nassir’s administration include revitalising Mombasa’s economy, addressing water challenges, solid waste management crisis and county government finances.
Mombasa electorate will be looking upon the new governor to implement his 10-point agenda captured in his 26-page election manifesto.
Residents battered by an ailing economy worsened by shrinking job opportunities will in particular be keen to see how the new administration will go about addressing the woes of Port of Mombasa, an issue which dominated the election campaigns – both presidential and gubernatorial.
Port services
Both Azimio-One Kenya and Kenya Kwanza coalitions promised to restore full operations at the port if they form the next government.
In his manifesto, Nassir said his administration would actively engage with the national government and other stakeholders to ensure that “we restore port services such as clearing and forwarding back to the county of Mombasa.”
“I can only hope that the people we elect will not renege on their promises. I just hope that they have not been taking advantage of us to exploit our weaknesses. We need jobs,” said Grace Wanjiru who worked as a customer care officer at Boss Freight Terminal limited CFS in Mombasa before she lost her job in 2019.
Worker strikes
As part of his plan to revitalise Mombasa’s economy, Nassir promised that he will partner with residents to establish a well-functioning urban economy that attracts and retains local and foreign investments to increase employment, income generation opportunities and raise the living standards of residents.
While outgoing Governor Hassan Joho’s administration grappled with delayed salaries and recurrent workers’ strikes, Nassir had promised that under his leadership, strikes would be a thing of the past.
“As your governor, I will continue to place high value on the workers of the county with my main aim being to make the repeated industrial action a thing of the past. Funds meant for staff salaries and welfare will be ring-fenced and will strictly not be used for any other purpose,” he stated.
Improving healthcare services is also a key area that awaits Nassir’s administration.
The poor state of the county’s hospitals has been worsened by health workers strikes which often result in service delivery crisis and even deaths.
“Having been a victim of poor service delivery at the Coast General Teaching and Referral hospital, I hope the governor that we will elect will help in improving the health sector. I wish that the incoming governor will pay attention healthcare services in Mombasa and stop strikes by healthcare workers,” said Michael Owino, a voter in Nyali who further says the incoming regime should enhance access to clean water for residents.