Political realignment is gathering momentum in Mombasa as the countdown to the 2027 General Election begins, with former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo becoming the latest entrant into an increasingly crowded gubernatorial contest.
Mbogo joins a field of heavyweights seeking to unseat incumbent Governor Abdulswamad Nassir. Others who have declared their interest include UDA Secretary General and EALA MP Hassan Omar, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, and businessman and EALA MP Suleiman Shahbal.
Since the 2007 General Election, Mombasa has remained a stronghold of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, with the ODM party enjoying a near-fanatical following and sweeping nearly all elective positions, from MCA to Governor.
With the demise of the Enigma, aspirants are now burning the midnight oil, seeking endorsements from various communities to shore up their support bases.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mombasa had 641,913 registered voters across its six constituencies during the 2022 General Election. Kisauni led with 135,276 voters, followed by Nyali with 124,253, Mvita with 118,974, Changamwe with 93,561, and Jomvu with 75,085.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with over 1,000 members of the Taita Taveta community living in Mombasa, Mbogo faulted successive county governments for excluding the community from senior positions. He noted that the community has close to 100,000 registered voters.
The community produced the first African Mayor of Mombasa during the tail end of British colonial rule. The late David Kayanda served as Mayor from 1962 to 1963. Since then, the community has not held any elective position in the city.
The community has now fronted Charles Mghenyi, a journalist, for the senatorial seat. It is also demanding the Deputy Governor position, or alternatively, two County Executive Committee Member positions and two County Chief Officer slots in exchange for its support for Mbogo.
The community is keen to leverage its numerical strength.
Mbogo is banking on his track record as MP to woo voters under his Linda Mwananchi Movement. He promised equitable sharing of executive positions among all communities living in Mombasa, improved healthcare, and full annual bursaries for all students in day secondary schools.
He said the tribulations the community has endured are enough, noting that despite living in close proximity to Mombasa, it does not have a single County Executive Committee Member, County Chief Officer, or any other senior county position.
He alleged that when members of the community seek job opportunities or bursaries from the county government, they are told to go back to their home county, yet their votes are sought during elections.
“This time, we are giving a voice to the Taitas. Your voice must be heard in Mombasa. This election is for change. This election is to transform Mombasa. We want every community to be proud to be in Mombasa,” Mbogo stated.
He accused the incumbent administration of failing in the education sector, citing shortcomings in the bursary and school lunch programmes.
Mbogo also decried the deterioration of health services, pointing to exorbitant charges at the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (Makadara).
“When you go to Coast General Hospital, it is more expensive than a private hospital. Today, if you are admitted at Makadara, you pay Sh3,500 per day, while in a private facility you pay Sh1,500,” he said.
He further claimed that Sh200 million budgeted for a revolving fund has not benefited the intended recipients.
Mbogo said the county has 40,000 day scholars across all secondary schools, with annual fees ranging from Sh17,000 to Sh20,000, translating to about Sh800 million per year.
He noted that the county government receives close to Sh18 billion from the National Treasury, Own Source Revenue, and grants.
“I promise you, if you elect me on 10th August next year, your child will not pay school fees in Mombasa County. It is possible. If we have Sh18 billion, we only need Sh800 million for your child to learn for four years,” he stated.
by Sadik Hassan
