Governor of Mombasa demands stake in coastal port

Governor of Mombasa demands stake in coastal port

Governor of Mombasa demands stake in coastal port

Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, the governor of Mombasa, has urged that counties with ports that are up for privatization be given a stake in such ports.The Governor noted in a statement that this action was taken to guarantee that citizens whose livelihoods depend on the ports within those counties benefit from their privatization.

Mombasa and Lamu ports are in question, and they have been a source of conflict  between the government and coastal leaders since the leaders want complete  input throughout the entire privatization process. According to Governor Nassir, “Schedule IV of the Kenyan Constitution is crystal  clear: County Governments are intended to manage all matters relating to Ports,  Ferries, and Harbors.”

“The Counties in which Ports are domiciled MUST have a stake in the management and benefits of these assets, similar to best practice throughout the world. Regardless of privatization or concession, the Port will be run by the private sector, so we must keep speaking with one voice.”

He explained that coastal communities might not receive their just compensation if the problem is not remedied right away.He finished, saying, “If we don’t establish a claim for our people now, it will be many generations before another opportunity arises.

In order to create a complete development plan for the coastal area, coastal leaders have attempted to work with the government, with the privatization plan being one of the key areas of concern.On October 19, a group of influential people in Nairobi, led by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, decided to meet with President William Ruto to address concerns related to the region’s growth.

The priority sectors would be determined by all the county leaders from the six counties, according to former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho.This action represents a positive shift in policy from the leaders’ earlier attitude, which was categorically opposed to the Kenya Ports Authority’s proposal to privatize portions of the Mombasa and Lamu ports.

Nassir said at the time, “If they had a chance, they would have sold the water in the ocean.William Ruto, the managing director of KPA, had on September 12 invited proposals from parties interested in the development and management of private assets through Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

The options available to interested bidders included Mombasa Port’s Berths 11 to 14, Lamu Special Economic Zone, Lamu Container Terminal Berths 1 to 3, and Lamu Container Terminal 1.