Mombasa County Commissioner (CC) Mohammed Noor led residents in celebrating Mashujaa Day, emphasizing the regions’ progress in security, youth empowerment and development projects.
Speaking during the event at Jomvu, Noor said President Dr. William Ruto had recognized the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga for his contribution to Kenya’s democracy and unity.
He noted that Odinga was posthumously awarded the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH), the country’s highest honour, which has previously been conferred only to sitting and former Presidents.
“Today, many of our leaders are not with us because they represented Mombasa at the burial of the late Raila Odinga. Our governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, Cabinet Secretary for Blue Economy and Mining Hassan Joho, Members of Parliament and MCAs attended on our behalf,” Noor said.
The CC added that governor Nassir will be awarded in Kitui, where the national Mashujaa ceremony was taking place, for his exemplary leadership and statesmanship.
Noor highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance security in Mombasa, noting that the county had made significant strides in combating crime and dismantling criminal gangs.
“The Mombasa of today is not that of the past. We have worked tirelessly to make the city safe, even as we build towards a 24 hour economy,” he said.
The CC commended youths from Likoni and Kisauni constituencies for turning away from crime and embracing vocational training.
Noor said several reformed youths who had surrendered to authorities are now enrolled in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to acquire skills in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and refrigeration.
He cited Likoni Technical College, opened by the President, as a model institution offering specialized training in refrigeration and air conditioning.
The CC said the upcoming Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone would provide employment opportunities for skilled youth from the county.
On housing, Noor said Mombasa had benefited from the Affordable Housing Programme under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), citing that 2,115 apartments were under construction in Nyali, each costing Sh1.9 million with a 5 percent deposit, while other units have been planned for Mvita and Port Reitz.
“In Mvita, we have begun demolishing old buildings in Hobley to pave way for 12-storey affordable housing blocks,” he said, adding that the overall housing investment in Mombasa is valued at Sh23 billion.
The Nyali project will include amenities such as schools, hospital, market, and recreational facilities. Noor encouraged residents to register on the Boma Yangu platform to benefit from the programme.
The CC also cited the ongoing major road projects including the Jomvu-Mariakani and Nyali-Mtwapa roads, each valued at Sh7 billion, as part of the over Sh200 billion in infrastructural investments injected into Mombasa.
Noor commended the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for arresting suspects linked to car break-ins targeting bank customers.
He identified the suspects as Amadi Omar Salim alias Moodi, aged 36, and Anwar Hussein Omar, aged 25, adding that operations to curb such crimes will continue.
by Sitati Reagan
