Revitalizing Mombasa’s Economy

In Mombasa, the largest trading hub in East Africa, the rate
of youth unemployment still remains high at 44%. Roughly,
4 out of 10 of our young people are jobless. Our government
shall seek to create systems for vibrant economic growth
and development in our County by placing special focus on
creating opportunities for informal self – employed residents
working as hairdressers, jua kali workers, mama mboga as
well as our young people working as waiters, artists, creatives,
tuk tuk drivers, boda boda operators and so on. In my tenure
as Member of Parliament, I recognized the key role that this
crucial sector plays in our economy and put in place the Skillz
Mtaani program that benefitted about 9,000 young people.
Through this program, we paid for these young people to
get certification from vocational training colleges thereby
empowering them to earn a dignified living.
Mombasa is a key driver of the entire country’s economic
growth. We are among the top contributors to the national
GDP in terms of transport and logistics, manufacturing,
industry and services associated with being the regional
tourist hub in addition to the employment that was created
through the port.
Through concentration, Mombasa as an urban area provides
the economies of scale and scope that reduce production
and transaction costs, thus making the provision of basic
infrastructure services and other amenities, more economically
viable.
We recognize the fact that the informal sector is the main
employer of the people of Mombasa. About 70% of all
employment is drawn from here. Over the last decade, as a
County, we have experienced major challenges especially
due to global trends. the closure of industries, the transfer of
clearing and forwarding services inland, the covid-19 pandemic
and the decline of the tourist sector. This has led to widespread
job losses and subsequent hardship in our county. Our people
in hospitality and industry are being employed throughout the
world because of their skills but there are no jobs in Mombasa.
Our economy needs to be jumpstarted to get back on track.
Under our government, I seek to partner with you to establish
a well-functioning urban economy that attracts and retains
local and foreign investments; an important pre-condition for
increasing employment, income-generating opportunities,
and raising the welfare of our residents.
I understand the invaluable role that the workers of Mombasa
play in development. This is why as your representative, I have
been consistent in advocating for labor rights at the national
government entities at the Coast such as Kenya Ports Authority
and Kenya Ferry Services. As your Governor, I will continue to
place high value on the workers of the county with my main
aim to make the repeated industrial actions a thing of the past.
Funds meant for staff salaries and welfare will be ring-fenced
and shall strictly not be used for any other purpose.