Civil society petitions Mombasa Assembly over governance lapses
The petition comes as the assembly prepares to deliberate on new revenue measures for the upcoming financial year, underscoring growing public demand for openness, inclusion, and accountability in county governance.
The Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights has petitioned the county assembly of Mombasa, accusing the county administration of breaching legal obligations on public participation and transparency in governance.
In the petition tabled before the Assembly, the Network criticised Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s administration for failing to deliver the annual State of the County Address for two consecutive years, contrary to Section 30(2) of the County Governments Act.
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The petitioners argue that this omission has eroded public accountability and left citizens uninformed about the county’s performance and development priorities.
The group further faulted the county’s budget-making process, claiming that the 2025/2026 Annual Development Plan (ADP) was submitted late and without any meaningful public consultation.
According to the network, residents were not provided with draft budget documents or invited to public hearings, undermining transparency and citizen engagement in fiscal planning.
In its submission, the network cited multiple legal provisions that it says have been flouted, including Article 10 of the Constitution on national values and principles of governance, Article 201(a) on openness in public finance, and Section 115(1) of the County Governments Act, which mandates public participation in county planning.
The petition also highlights the exclusion of village administrators and the absence of civic education initiatives as further evidence of governance lapses.
Among the remedies sought, the petitioners have asked the assembly to acknowledge the procedural violations, hold the Governor accountable, and nullify the ongoing budget process for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 financial years.
They also want the assembly to compel the Governor to deliver the long-overdue State of the County Address within 30 days and every year thereafter.
Additional recommendations include operationalising the Mombasa County Village Administration Act, 2024, establishing a functional internal audit unit with quarterly reporting, and ensuring Assembly proceedings are broadcast live to enhance public access.
The petition, filed under the Network’s Governance Thematic Area, has been formally referred to the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations in line with Standing Orders 201(1) and (2). The committee is expected to review the concerns raised and issue a report within sixty days.
The petition comes as the assembly prepares to deliberate on new revenue measures for the upcoming financial year, underscoring growing public demand for openness, inclusion, and accountability in county governance.
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