A section of members of the county assembly in Mombasa County has lashed out at the executive arm on claims of delaying the passing of the County Land Management Bill.
This according to the MCAs poses a blow to solving the critical land question in the county.
Speaking to the media in Mombasa over the weekend, Junda ward MCA Sumba Bwire said county assembly members have failed to pass the county land management bill due to a delay by the executive.
He however says the assembly is committed to ensuring that the problem of housing is sorted once and for all.
“There is always a collision between the county assembly and the executive. There has always been the transfer of county staff and this has greatly hindered service delivery,” he noted.
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He also cited a lack of resources as a hindrance to the delivery of services at the grassroots level.
Land and housing, a thorny issue in Mombasa County
At the same time, Mwakirunge ward MCA Phedice Mbura cites housing as a critical issue in Mombasa County adding that most locals are not conversant with the housing rights.
She asked locals to work together in a bid to address the challenge of housing in Mombasa County.
“There is a need for both the county and national government to address the challenge of housing in Mombasa County. We need to work together with organizations and both the two levels of government so that we can counter the challenge of housing in this county,” she noted.
Ms. Mbura asked locals to engage local leaders in ensuring that the land question is addressed.
Need to lobby for pro-poor policies
On the other hand, Haki Yetu Organisation Lands and Governance officer John Paul Obonyo says there is need to lobby for pro-poor policies in the county.
“Mombasa locals must be proactive on housing matters within the county. What we are witnessing is forced evictions in some of the wards in Kisauni Sub County,” he noted.
He says the presence of too many grassroots land committees further complicates the land question in the county.
Mdengerekeni, ‘forgotten’ village in Mombasa County
Mathews Oyule, a Bamburi resident lashed out at the county government on claims of what he terms as failing to recognise some of the remote villages in the county.
He cites Mdengerekeni as one of the ‘forgotten’ villages.
“People here are living in isolation despite being Kenyan voters like any other. In 2017 over 300 people participated in the general election. Currently, the population stands at around 3000 people,” said Oyule.
He also blamed elected leaders on claims of failing to take responsibility.
“The place has no infrastructure, no power and no water. These people are leading an isolated life,” Oyule lamented.
The forum brought together ward administrators, community representatives and members of the county assembly.
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