Nassir’s inauguration to cost Ksh 6 million

The county government of Mombasa is set to spend about Sh6 million on the inauguration of Governor-elect Abdulswamad Nassir and his deputy Francis Thoya.

The two are expected to take oath of office on Thursday at the Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, which faces the Indian Ocean at the Kilindini Creek.

Nassir was declared the winner of the Mombasa gubernatorial elections held on August 29. This was after he garnered 119,083 votes against his closest rival, former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar of UDA who garnered 98,105.

The race had attracted a total of eight candidates.

Addressing the media Wednesday afternoon, the Mombasa County Assumption of Office Committee, which is chaired by County Secretary Joab Tumbo, said that they had so far spent Sh4 million.

“As you are aware, the government capped the expenditure ceiling for these events to Sh6 million, we have so far spent Sh4 million,” said Tumbo.

“Preparations are still going on so we expect to spend more even tomorrow, but we are doing our best not to surpass the set ceiling.”

Tumbo said that they were expecting about 6,000 people to attend the event, adding that the committee had already sent invitation letters to a number of dignitaries.

“Of course, our VIP guests will be the Mombasa people who elected the governor that is going to be sworn in tomorrow. We however expect other VVIPs and dignitaries including governors, senators, MPS and MCAs who have been invited to witness this important occasion,” Tumbo said.

Justice George Dulu and Mombasa Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku will preside over the ceremony.

The two were among the list of judges and magistrates appointed by Chief Justice Martha Koome to oversee the swearing-in of governor elects and deputy governor elects across the county.

In a letter dated August 8, CJ Koome said the appointment was in accordance with the Assumption of Office of Governor Act, 2019.

“In that regard, I hereby appoint the Judges as per the schedule to conduct the swearing-in ceremony upon election and gazettement by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC),” the letter reads in part.

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Tumbo said that the Assumption of Office Committee, which began working in July, was finalizing the county government reports expected to be tabled in the Mombasa County Assembly within the next 30 days.

“We began preparing the report on July 9, the process is still going on, and we might table the report by mid-October in accordance with the law. It will be handed over to the new government.” Tumbo said.

He also assured residents that security had been beefed up as he called on them to turn out in large numbers.

He was flanked by Mombasa County Commissioner John Otieno as they made their last visit to the site ahead of the swearing-in ceremony tomorrow.

However, Otieno did not address the media. He had earlier on Monday assured residents of their safety.

“We have had several planning meetings and I want to assure Mombasa people that we have made adequate security arrangements to ensure that Mombasa remains secure,” he said on Monday.