This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has returned to the country after a month-long tour of the US, but his return has sparked a storm over his prolonged absence from the county.
According to Richard Chacha, the county director of communications, the governor jetted into the country on August 10, 2019, after a 'working' tour in the US.
The governor left the country in the first week of July, and his delegation comprised his personal assistant David Odada, his advisers Hamisi Mwaguya and Tendai Mtana, his personal secretary, a Ms Najma, and a personal bodyguard identified as Mr Mohamed.
Mr Chacha denied claims that the trip was a waste of taxpayer's money, stating that 'County employees have imprest and so is the governor. If he does an extension then the money comes from his pocket.'
Deputy Governor William Kingi defended Mr Joho against accusations that the tour was not beneficial to Mombasa residents, saying that the governor held several meetings in various States aimed at creating networks with a view to attracting investors to Mombasa county.
Mr Kingi termed the criticism against Mr Joho as political, saying that 'Investors will not come if we do not go out there. The governor is our CEO and he has to go out and look for opportunities.'
However, some crucial events had been put on hold by the administration until the governor's return, including the planned commissioning of 10 garbage collection trucks and three fire engines.
