The Mombasa county assembly on Wednesday passed a motion to have all business premises and county offices display Governor Hassan Joho’s portrait just like President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The motion was sponsored by Mjambere ward MCA Khamis Mwabashiri and seconded by Mtongwe’s Hamis Mwidani. Deputy speaker Rashid Mswabaha chaired the session. Out of the about 14 MCAs present, only Kongowea’s Jabess Oduor and Port Reitz’ Fadhili Makarani opposed it. Leader of Majority Abdallah Kasagamba said the motion is meant to bring unity and patriotism to the Mombasa people.
“We had it thought out as a symbol of unity and patriotism to the county government,” Kasagamba told the Star on the phone on Thursday. Kasagamba said they do not anticipate any legal issues or friction with the national government. Lawyer Yusuf Abubakar said such legislation has no foundation on the constitution. “It is unnecessary, a burden to the business people and will only cause friction with the national government,” Abubakar said.
Kasagamba said the rule is meant to help residents respect the office of the governor as an institution and not as an individual. Speaker Thadius Rajwayi said he was away when the motion was passed but a bill should be prepared if the motion is to become law. He however said such motions or bills should be anchored on institutions and not individuals. “I am yet to read the content of the motion but from what I get the guy was trying to say that the office of the governor and not the governor should be represented,” said Rajwayi on phone.
– the-star.co.ke
