Residents of Kwale County have identified roads, water, employment, healthcare, education and accountability as some of the key issues they expect political leaders to address as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
With political activities expected to intensify in the coming months, residents say they will look beyond political parties and campaign rhetoric and instead assess the performance, track record and development priorities of leaders seeking their support.
For many residents, the condition of roads remains a major concern, particularly in rural areas where poor infrastructure affects the transportation of farm produce, access to markets and movement to schools, health facilities and other essential services.
“We need leaders who will improve our roads and water supply. These are issues we deal with every day,” said Aisha Salim, a trader from Ukunda.
Reliable access to clean water is also among the concerns raised by residents, with communities calling for sustainable water projects that can reduce shortages and improve access to the essential commodity in both urban and rural areas.
Employment and economic opportunities for young people are expected to feature prominently in political discussions, with residents calling for greater investment in skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.
Young people are tired of being told that opportunities are coming. We want jobs, skills and opportunities to start businesses,” said Abdullahi Omar, a youth entrepreneur from Msambweni.
Zawadi Mwangangi, a young professional from Diani, said many educated young people were struggling to find employment opportunities within the county.
“We have educated young people who are ready to work, but finding opportunities remains difficult. We need leaders who will make youth employment a priority,” she said.
Residents also want improved healthcare services, including adequately equipped health facilities, sufficient medical personnel and reliable supplies of medicines.
“Healthcare should not depend on where you live. Our facilities need better services and enough medicine,” said Fatuma Ali, a resident of Lunga Lunga.
Education remains another priority, with parents and teachers calling for continued investment in schools and increased opportunities for students to pursue higher education and technical and vocational training.
“Our children need quality education because that is what will determine their future. We want leaders who will invest in schools and in young people,” said Mary Wanjiku, a teacher from Kwale Town.
Farmers and small-scale traders have also linked infrastructure development to economic growth, saying better roads would reduce the cost of transporting goods and improve access to markets.
“When the roads are bad, it becomes expensive to transport our produce to the market. We need leaders who understand the challenges facing ordinary farmers,” said Joseph Mwakio, a farmer from Matuga.
Small-business operators are similarly seeking policies and infrastructure that will enable them to expand their enterprises, create employment and contribute to the local economy.
“We want an environment where small businesses can grow. Leaders should support people who are already trying to create their own livelihoods,” said Mariam Bakari, a small-business owner from Tiwi.
Beyond development projects, some residents say accountability and prudent use of public resources will influence their choices at the ballot.
Peter Mwarandu, a resident of Kinango, said voters should assess leaders based on their record of delivering on previous commitments.
“This election should be about accountability. We want leaders who can explain what they have done with public resources,” he said.
Residents said they would also assess completed and ongoing projects against promises made during previous election campaigns, as well as the plans presented by candidates seeking elective positions.
They said candidates should provide clear, realistic and measurable commitments on development and service delivery instead of relying on broad campaign promises.
As political parties and prospective candidates begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 polls, residents are expected to increasingly demand specific commitments on development, job creation and improvement of public services.
For many voters, the election will provide an opportunity to assess how effectively elected leaders have addressed challenges affecting their communities and whether proposed programmes are realistic, sustainable and beneficial to residents.
The issues raised by residents cut across different sectors, but roads, water, employment, healthcare, education and accountability remain central to their expectations as the county prepares for the next election.
Residents also said they expected leaders to prioritise projects that respond to local needs while ensuring equitable distribution of development resources across the county.
The 2027 General Election is scheduled to be held in August next year, when Kenyans will elect leaders at both national and county levels.
By Evelyn Njaramba
