Kwale and Taita Taveta counties are examples of two contrasting leadership styles that may explain the Coast region’s politico-economic development.
Then Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya was the first county chief elected on an ODM ticket in the 2013 election. He won a second term in 2017 under the Jubilee Party ticket, after ditching ODM, the dominant party in the region.
Fatuma Achani, Mvurya’s deputy for 10 years, won the 2022 gubernatorial seat on a UDA ticket, even though the majority of the county assembly members were elected on ODM and other affiliate parties. Achani’s winning is the extension of Mvurya’s leadership.
In Taita Taveta, the first governor, John Mruttu, was also elected on an ODM ticket in the 2013 polls, only to lose the 2017 to Granton Samboja of the Jubilee Party, who in turn lost to Andrew Mwadime, an independent candidate in the 2022 election. In the county, the ODM MCAs has dropped from 50 per cent in 2013 to 16 per cent in 2022.
Kwale and Taita Taveta counties have some similarities: tourism and mining are the main economic mainstays. In Kwale county, however, the mining of titanium is corporate and structured with a payment of total royalties of approximately Sh250 million annually.
In Taita Taveta county, though iron ore is corporate, the royalties paid out is estimated to be about Sh10 million annually, while gemstone mining is artisanal, meaning it is not easy to regulate.
As for tourism, Kwale county has both the world-famous Diani sandy beaches and the wildlife-based “safari” tourism at Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. In Taita Taveta county, the Tsavo National Park is one of the largest game parks in the world.
Under Mvurya, community empowerment projects were given preference over legacy projects. He also embarked on a broad-based bursary programme which achieved over 99 per cent school enrolment. The people of Kwale county, therefore, appear to be satisfied with Mvurya’s choice of Achani as his successor.
In Taita Taveta county, voters appear to be in search for an ideal governor. The county has been unable to earn as much revenue from the Tsavo National Park as Narok county has had from the Masai Mara Reserve.
This is due in part to the tenure and management of the land on which the animals live. Similarly, the mining of iron ore remains in private hands and largely unregulated. Gemstone mining is at household level and often without the consent of landowners.
There are certain qualities that Mvurya has possessed to induce change in Kwale county. These qualities include participation in community development projects, social standing, change, and interactions with international donors in addressing grassroots problems.
These qualities make Mvurya stand out from among his peers, especially as compared to a mechanical engineer, like John Mruttu, who is well versed with the running of a petroleum refinery; or the eloquent broadcaster, Granton Samboja, whose glib tongue made him stand out as a radio programs host.
Mruttu and Samboja may have both been unable to secure second terms in part because they were unable to negotiate the tourism, mining and agricultural subsectors for the county’s betterment.
This brings me to the economy of Mombasa county which is presently centered on maritime commerce – port related activities and tourism. There has been a lot of talk about “Blue Economy”, which the European Commission defines as "All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts.”
As the current Mombasa governor was elected on ODM ticket, his tenure in some ways is the continuation of the Hassan Joho administration, which failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Blue Economy.
It remains to be seen whether Mombasa voters will follow the Kwale model and give Governor Abdulsamad Nassir a second term, or if they will follow the Taita Taveta county voters in embarking on a relentless search for a leader who will enable them enjoy their tourism and mining mainstays.
The leader voters of Mombasa county would like is one who shall focus on the Blue Economy.