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Mombasa Senator calls for reinstatement of Traffic Marshals

Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Sunday, April 14, 2024

Mohamed Faki called for immediate action, suggesting temporary contracts as a solution to ensure the swift return of the marshals to their duties.

Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki is urging for the reinstatement of traffic marshals who were recently laid off by the county, along with 105 inspectorate officers, after years of service.

Faki highlighted the urgent need for measures to address escalating traffic congestion in the tourist city.

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Speaking in the presence of Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir in Mombasa on Saturday, Mohamed expressed concern over the impact of the absence of traffic marshals and emphasised the crucial role they play in managing traffic effectively.

"Our county had a much better appearance when we had our traffic marshals on the roads. They were there from Monday to Sunday, but for the past three days, they have been absent. I have heard that their contracts have ended. They perform a vital job. Just the other day, on Thursday, we experienced gridlock reaching up to the GPO due to the lack of their presence,” he said.

He called for immediate action, suggesting temporary contracts as a solution to ensure the swift return of the marshals to their duties.

"We want these traffic marshals if their contracts have expired, to be given temporary contracts so they can return to work while you decide their fate. Because of the skills they possess, even our regular police officers lack. And in our county, matters of the inspectorate we are leading," Mohamed added.

Temporary contracts

Acknowledging the county's plans for recruitment, the senator proposed temporary contracts as an interim solution.

He urged the chair of the County public service through the Mombasa Governor to swiftly act, ensuring the marshals' return to duty while a decision is made on their permanent employment or long-term contracts.

Last month the Labour and Public Service Administration committee of the Mombasa County Assembly vowed to protect the county inspectorate officers who reportedly had their contracts terminated last December.

After 11 years of service, 105 inspectorate officers were let go.

Responding to the MCAs, the Chief Officer of Mombasa County Governance and Serikali Mashinani, Rukiya Nassir stated that officers were released from their duties when their contracts ended.

Rukiya said they had requested the County Secretary to fill the vacancies left by expired contracts in February.

Additionally, she explained that they conducted a verification of staff data to assess the skills of all inspectorate officers and ensure they are deployed effectively.

She assured officers whose contracts had expired or were expiring soon that they would have priority in the recruitment process, which would be fair and conducted uniformly for all candidates.