Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has threatened to sue the national government to pressure it into compensating fishermen displaced by the ongoing construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
Speaking at Mombasa’s Old Town Port during the launch of MV Mombasa 001, a deep sea fishing vessel, the governor said his efforts to talk to the national government over the matter have proven futile.
“We will demand compensation for fishermen who were made jobless by construction of the SGR and Dongo Kundu economic zone,” he said, as quoted by the Nation.
Joho also said he wants the national government to agree with Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), SGR and Ministry of Transport on the mode that will be used in the repayment of the construction loan.
“The people of this county have a right to know how the project will transform their lives,” he said.
He further said the county is entitled to a share of the revenue generated at the port, saying no port in any part of the globe works without the leadership of the local government.
“For example, 70 per cent of Rotterdam in the Netherlands belongs to the city administration, 100 per cent of Long Beach in New York belongs to the municipality while Shanghai is fully owned by the city authority. Why are we being denied our share here?” he asked.
The outspoken governor said he will not relent in fighting for the rights of people in Mombasa and the entire nation.