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 prolonged absence has sparked a storm in the county.
According to Richard Chacha, the county director of communications, Joho is expected to arrive in the country this afternoon after a working tour in the US.
Chacha confirmed that Joho left the country in the first week of July and that his delegation comprised of 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.
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 Joho against accusations that the tour was not beneficial to Mombasa residents, saying that apart from the main meetings, Joho held several others not included in the programme.
Kingi explained that Joho held meetings in various States aimed at creating networks with a view to attracting investors to Mombasa county.
However, the governor's photos in the company of American socialite Paris Hilton, which were widely shared on social media, caused a storm in the county coming hot on the heels of renewed attacks on residents by armed gangs.
The attacks left 13 people seriously injured.
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.
The storm over the privatisation of the second container terminal has also coincided with the governor's absence, with local MPs left to put up a spirited fight against the plans.
On Friday, Kingi explained that apart from the main meetings, Joho held several others not included in the programme.
He said his boss held meetings in various States aimed at creating networks with a view to attracting investors to Mombasa county.
Mr Chacha said: “The governor is not superhuman. It is normal for any person who is somewhere for work to get time away from his busy schedule and enjoy a little bit. Why are we putting it as if he is not a human being,”
Dr Kingi termed the criticism against Joho as political.
“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 the opportunities. He has been able to also meet some celebrities who have expressed interest in coming to invest in our county, something that will boost our tourism industry,” said Dr Kingi.
He added: “Let’s wait and see what will come out from the tour before we start spinning everything. We should not introduce politics in everything that the governor is doing.”
