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Mombasa to elect 330 residents to oversee county functions

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki at his office in the county. (Photo: The Star)

By Farhiya Hussein | Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Each wards will have 11 members - three men, three women, three youths and two people living with disabilities (PWDs), who will report to the Mombasa Oversight Committee.

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Mombasa County is electing 330 residents, 11 from each of its 30 wards, to form committees that will help it oversee county initiatives at the ward level.

Each team, of individuals referred to as oversight ward representatives, will have three men, three women, three youths, and two people living with disabilities (PWDs), who will report to the Mombasa Oversight Committee.

The oversight function falls under Senator Faki Mohamed Mwinyihaji's office.

Mwinyihaji on Wednesday extended the invitation for members of the public to join the committees, noting the exercise was in line with Article 96 of the Constitution of Kenya. He also said the team will play a pivotal role in scrutinising the allocation of funds to the county.

The election - set for January 17-20 - will take place in Changamwe on Wednesday, in Mvita on Thursday, Kisauni on Friday and Likoni on Saturday.

The senator is seeking members from each ward for the sake of diverse perspectives.

"We need your input. The call to action is clear. I urge the citizens of Mombasa to attend and become integral members of the oversight team. The success of this endeavour relies on the collective efforts and engagement of the community," he said.

Last September, the High Court suspended the Senate Oversight Fund Committee following a case filed by six nominated senators - Raphael Mwinzagu, Catherine Mumma, Tabitha Munene, Hamida Kibwana, Miraj Abdillahi, and Crystal Asige. They later withdrew the case.

The Parliamentary Service Commission established a Senate Oversight Fund Committee to which Sh500 million was allocated in the 2023/2024 budget.

Senators have over the years lobbied for a higher allocation for the easier conduct of their functions.

The purpose of the fund, as initially proposed, was for all senators to fulfill their constitutional mandate to oversee county activities.