Mombasa County Governor Ali Hassan Joho addresses 2nd County Assembly for the first time, September 26, 2017. [Photo|Ali Hassan Joho]
The County Assembly Speaker
Honorable Members of the County Assembly
Honorable Members of Parliament
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Once again, allow me to congratulate you Mr Speaker on your election to head this house and also congratulate all the honorable Members of the County Assembly on their respective victories. “Hongera Kwenu nyote”
It was a hectic battle for all of you during the campaigns and your resolve to win; I believe was driven by the urge to serve the great people of Mombasa County.
Mr. Speaker the Mombasa electorate has given us the opportunity to keep lighting the way and lead them to prosperity. To achieve this we need to play our distinctive and interdependent roles. The dawn of devolution comes with very high expectations from the residents of our Beloved County.
Together as leaders of Mombasa we must do all that it takes to meet these expectations and serve our people selflessly.The role of the County Assembly in the devolved Governments is Key in unlocking the unrivalled potential in our County. The County Assemblies are the watch dogs of the people.
You are required by the Constitution to meet the following objectives of devolution.
1. Promotion of democracy and accountable exercise of power
2. Fostering of national unity by recognising our diversity as a nation.
3. Give powers of self-Governance to the people and enhance their participation in decision making.
As the Governor of Mombasa County I look forward to working with you in creating and making legislations that will be beneficial to the County. In fulfilling Article 185 of our constitution you have a huge responsibility in ensuring that we DELIVER the PROMISE of Devolution.
To this end we shall be presenting to this house various bills that are set to concretize the Mombasa Vision 2035, as you be aware this is a common vision crafted rigorously through people participation and in summary it is meant to achieve ten important transformative programmes.
1. Addressing Youth Employment and Empowerment through skills training, engaging the youth in employment through innovative design of our public works programmes, support for youth cooperative, talent support programs and addressing threats posed by drugs by enhancing rehabilitation programs, community outreaches and surveillance.
2. We aim to maintain and develop a Sustainable Environment by investing in an Integrated Solid Waste Management Plan at Kibarani. We will provide incentives to the youth to engage them in garbage disposal and waste management practices.We will work with communities to improve public health and environmental management.
3. We will continue to invest in the Improvement of Security in the County through support to community policing, revamping of the Social Services Department in order to identify, counsel and support youth at risk of social vices. Together with partners, we will implement the Action Plan for Countering Violent Extremism. These initiatives will help build up a more secure environment in which to conduct business.
4. In the Water & Sanitation sector we endeavour to institutionalise rainwater harvesting to not only meet demand but also limit flooding. We will invest in water infrastructure in all settlements. We aim at working with neighbouring counties to develop the bulk water infrastructure. We will look at opportunities offered through adaption of desalination technologies utilising seawater.We will build public toilets and baths in selected areas and invest in both drainage and sewerage systems.
5. Further to the gains already registered in the Health sector, we hope to strengthen primary healthcare by upgrading facilities and equipment in our institutions. At all times, our health facilities will have essential drugs and other medical supplies.We will also work with communities through outreach programs to minimise disease risk. We will roll out a health insurance program for the elderly and women in informal settlements.
6. In the social sector, we also hope to revamp our investment in Quality Education by developing a Centre of Excellence in every Sub County while continuing to support post-secondary bursary programmes. We will invest in Information Technology to support research and management services in the education sector.
7. Business is the cornerstone of our city. A Vibrant Economy is the heart of business. To spur business activities and investment in Mombasa, we will offer incentives for business through support for entrepreneurs, deregulation and targeted reduction of levies and taxes.
We will modernise the Marikiti and Sega markets while working on a program of weekly markets for informal traders in the CBD.We will develop Business Information & Incubation centres in the sub counties to support youth entrepreneurship. The Government procurement system will focus on local goods and products to boost local business.
In collaboration with other stakeholders we will deepen our investment in fisheries; especially deep sea fishing. To increase the ease of doing business in Mombasa we will have Zero Tolerance for Corruption among County Government workers.
8. Reliable infrastructure is the backbone of any modern and vibrant city.We will work with the National Government, the private sector and other stakeholders to develop and implement the Transport & Mobility Master Plan. We will construct new access roads in Likoni, Kisauni, Changamwe and Jomvu while maintaining estate roads in all areas. We will construct a multi-storey car park at Baluchi Street and a multi-storey terminus at Likoni Ferry Station.
9. To maintain and develop Sustainable Tourism we target new tourist sites at Shelly Beach, Mtongwe, Tudor Creek and Mtwapa Creek plus the Miritini-Mwakirunge Corridor. We will ensure 24-hour surveillance and security in all tourist areas, enhance cleanliness and revitalize cultural centres like the Swahili Cultural Centre.
10. Our vision of a modern and prosperous Mombasa will not be achieved if we do not enhance Urban Planning, Housing Development and Lands Management.
To this end we plan to upgrade 7 informal settlements using low cost building materials and construction techniques. We will support development of housing for low and middle income earners, create a County Housing Development Fund and establish more commercial areas for retail trade. We will stop the proliferation of informal settlements and address historical land injustices.
Mr Speaker
The first County Assembly was tasked with the duty of laying the foundation for this devolved government. That done, we now have the responsibility to deepen and broaden the gains of devolution in our beloved County.
Finally Mr SpeakerI would like to remind this honorable assembly that the laws you enact are considered part and parcel of the laws of Kenya in your jurisdiction.
You are not subordinate legislators and therefore you must take your crucial role to ensure proper public participation. The county government has a responsibility to respect and enforce national laws and equally the National Government has the duty and responsibility to respect and enable the enforcement of County laws.
Therefore incidences as have been witnessed in the recent past where National Government Representatives have disregarded County Laws and mandates is truly uncalled for and goes against the Constitution. Article 191(4) of our Constitution protects legislations passed by the Counties.
To this end Mr. Speaker I call upon this honorable house as well as the senate to address this emerging trend.
Mr Speaker as I conclude,
I want to urge this house to stand together at all times and address the real issues that affect our people.
I thank you.
Asanteni Sana, God Bless you."