Mombasa county assembly, executive split over projects as 2027 looms

By  Winnie Atieno

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

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9 min

What you need to know:

• MCAs decry growing pressure from residents to account for unfulfilled promises and questionable budget priorities.
• Several MCAs who spoke to the Daily Nation admitted that residents were increasingly questioning their performance.

Divisions are emerging between the Mombasa County Assembly and Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s administration over delays in implementing development projects, with ward representatives decrying growing pressure from residents to account for unfulfilled promises and questionable budget priorities.

The standoff has raised questions about the County Assembly’s oversight of the executive as Mombasa prepares its next development plan.

Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) say they are increasingly concerned that failure to deliver on promised projects could cost them their seats in the 2027 General Election.

Deputy Speaker Fadhili Makarani has called for closer cooperation between the two arms of county government to ensure projects approved in the budget are implemented, warning against allocations that fail to translate into tangible benefits for residents.

“I urge my colleagues to work together to ensure that what we approved in the budget is implemented. Let us ensure our people are treated fairly. We cannot keep approving budgets only to change things later. This time, we want to see projects implemented for the benefit of residents,” he told members at the County Assembly.

Several MCAs who spoke to the Daily Nation admitted that residents were increasingly questioning their performance, with some fearing that failure to deliver development could hurt their re-election bids.

“Whenever we go to our wards, residents ask questions. We do not know what to do because people are now informed. You can no longer claim to have done something without evidence,” a second-term MCA said, requesting anonymity for fear of reprisals.

However, the ward representative acknowledged that the Assembly had largely failed to challenge proposals from the county executive, allowing them to pass without sufficient scrutiny.

The concerns emerged as the Assembly concluded public participation on the 2026 County Finance Bill and the 2027/2028 Annual Development Plan (ADP), with residents raising questions about service delivery, taxation, stalled projects and accountability.

Mikindani MCA Jacktone Madialo faulted the county for failing to establish a Ward Development Fund, which he said would enable MCAs to support projects in their wards. Governor Nassir had promised to establish the fund four years ago.

He added that he would table a motion seeking to compel the governor to include university and college students in the county bursary programme.

“It is deeply saddening that, for the past four years, the county government has never issued bursaries to college and university students. I will soon table a motion to compel the governor to include college and university bursaries in the bursary disbursement programme,” he said.

Residents in Kisauni complained about poor communication and accountability, with Mr Moses Okunga demanding updates on development proposals submitted the previous year. Others protested against a Sh500 garbage collection fee charged through water bills.

In Nyali, residents questioned why learners in national boarding schools in Mombasa were excluded from county bursaries.

“We have two public national boarding schools where our children study. Why are they not receiving bursaries? This is discrimination,” said Mr Juma Dila.

Other residents complained about mounting garbage, unfulfilled promises and the Assembly’s reluctance to hold the executive accountable.

In Jomvu, residents raised concerns about climate change, education, healthcare and taxation. Mr Ramadhan Juma urged the county government to take responsibility for tree planting following soil erosion, while Ms Mary Gona questioned the low development allocation and quality of some projects.

Finance Committee chairman Kibwana Swaleh said residents’ concerns would be presented to the Assembly for consideration.

Mr Swaleh acknowledged that the county’s wage bill remained high, attributing the spending imbalance to financial constraints. He said an ideal budget would allocate 70 per cent of resources to recurrent expenditure and 30 per cent to development.

Residents also protested against charges imposed on daycare centres, questioned the allocation for recurrent spending and demanded the inclusion of early childhood education centres in development plans.

In Old Town, Ms Janet Molo raised concerns about inadequate funding for gender-based violence response centres and proposed sign-language interpreters in public health facilities. Ms Harriet Mugenda sought updates on the proposed Kibarani bus terminus, water projects and a fire station in Jomvu.

Human rights activist Zedekiah Adika called for transparency in public spending and timely completion of projects, while Deputy Finance Committee chair Hamida Noor pledged to advocate for disability-friendly infrastructure.

In Likoni, residents raised concerns about healthcare, garbage collection and preparedness for anticipated flooding.

Mr Ali Sasabu of Mtongwe said a health facility that previously offered a wider range of services had deteriorated to a level comparable to a dispensary. Mr Shauri Suleiman complained of overcrowding at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, alleging that patients were being forced to share beds, and cited medicine shortages at Likoni and Mwahima health facilities.

Residents also called for better garbage collection and more early childhood education centres. In Changamwe, they demanded equitable bursary allocation for learners in day and boarding schools and accountability over projects planned for the previous financial year.

However, County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri said MCAs raising concerns about development projects should exhaust the oversight mechanisms available to them.

“They have a responsibility to raise these matters through the relevant committees, ask questions, seek explanations from the responsible departments, and pursue appropriate resolutions. Each MCA has a responsibility to exercise their individual oversight mandate,” he said.

Mr Khatri added that members accusing the Assembly of failing in its oversight role must provide evidence.

Meanwhile, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko defended Governor Nassir’s record, citing investments in hospitals, early childhood education facilities and school feeding programmes.

“People are not fair to the governor, yet he has implemented a lot of projects in the county since he took over. For instance, in Kisauni and Likoni he has revamped public hospitals and opened new ones, he has opened new ECDE facilities, he is giving free lunch for our learners,” she said.

Ms Mboko also cited the payment of Sh7,000 in secondary school fees and declared her support for the governor.

The governor faces potential challengers in 2027, including UDA’s Hassan Omar, The New Democrats Party’s Suleiman Shahbal, Wiper’s Mohammed Ali and former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo.

Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba cautioned residents against electing leaders he said had no record of delivering for the electorate.

Mr Nassir defended his administration’s development record, citing bursaries, equipped health facilities, free early childhood education and school meals for more than 10,000 pre-primary learners. He also cited free healthcare for children under five and free maternity services in county hospitals.

“Mombasa is the only county that offers free medical services. Some people lack agendas; they only want to abuse me,” he said, expressing confidence that he would retain his seat in 2027.

The proposed Finance Bill seeks to review county fees, charges, licences, rates and penalties, while the ADP sets out development priorities for the 2027/2028 financial year.

The county estimates its available resources at Sh18.104 billion, comprising Sh12.664 billion for recurrent expenditure and Sh5.440 billion for development.

The public concerns place pressure on both the county executive and the Assembly to demonstrate how residents’ views will translate into budget decisions, completed projects and improved services before the next election.

watieno@ke.nationmedia.com

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