Mombasa ripe for national leadership, says Joho

 

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho on Tuesday said the county is ripe to produce a leader to steer the region in national politics.

He was giving his first State of the County address at the county assembly three years after he started his second term in leadership.

“The world at large needs to know that Mombasa has come of age and its people have matured in politics and leadership,” Joho said.  

He said that people now focus on a country that respects devolution, the rule of law and economic stability and they are hungry for vibrant and energetic leadership that is informed by the realities of lives of people.

“I want to assure you that Mombasa is ripe to chart a course that is prudent, clear and practical in addressing matters that are at the heart of Kenyan people,” he said.

He informed the house that his government will take the responsibility of giving residents the environment they deserve in terms of job opportunities and health services.

The governor also said he is committed to a 10-point agenda he promised when he took the oath - he pledged to deliver quality education, affordable health care, a 24-hour economy, a safe and secure county, modern infrastructure, an efficient waste management system, fresh and clean water, vibrant tourism, support youth and sporting activities and women empowerment.

“Let us commit ourselves to the goals we have set. We should not trim our vision for fear of the fact that this will stretch us to the limit but cast our sight on understanding that the realisation of these goals will have paved way to a bright and hopeful future,” he said.

He said his government is concerned about the rise in Covid-19 infections in the county. Mombasa has 2,675 cases out of 51,380 people tested as at September 20.  

Reported deaths are 72. Some 1,013 patients are admitted in hospitals: 520 on home-based care and 407 on self-quarantine. Total recoveries are 1,220.

Joho noted that based on the numbers, his administration has managed to flatten the curve in six months.

"The county has set the pace for the country on the level of preparedness and mobilisation of resources," he said, urging the members to give a chance to the promise of total transformation of socio-economic status of the county.

Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri assured Joho that his team will give full support in the development of the county.

He said his team will also play its constitutional role of oversight to ensure residents enjoy the fruits of devolution.