Speaker Aharub Khatri and Governor Abdulswamad Nassir at Peleleza ground in Likoni on Friday /BRIAN OTIENO
Mombasa county assembly speaker Aharub Khatri has said he has no personal differences with Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.
He said on Friday he only points out issues that need correction in Nassir's administration, but some people with vested interests are trying to disrupt the harmony between him and the governor.
“Governor, I don’t fight with you. In fact, I take photos with you. I only point out where I feel there is a problem. And I usually tell you first on the phone,” Khatri said at Peleleza ground in Likoni.
He said it is the people surrounding the governor who have a problem.
“When your people, who are full of pride, lead you astray, I cannot accept that. When you see a king naked, tell him,” Khatri said.
He spoke during the laying of foundation stone for a level 2 hospital in Bofu ward, Likoni.
Khatri said the hospital should be constructed in a way that it can be upgraded in future.
The speaker said Likoni needs a level 5 facility because emergency cases that occur at Likoni channel cannot be handled fast enough because of the ferry delays.
“We need to upgrade the level 4 facility in Likoni to a level 5 so it can better handle the emergency cases," Khatri said.
“We, as an assembly, are ready to set aside funds for the upgrade. We just need to work with you, governor, to make it happen."
He said Likoni residents are the most humble and they suffer the most when it comes to healthcare.
“I ask that we work together so we can improve the lives of Likoni residents, and other Mombasa residents. I always speak my mind,” Khatri said.
However, Governor Nassir called for patience, saying they should work together in harmony.
“I would not want us to get into fights. But these legs you see are ready to step on mud. But instead of stepping on mud, I say they should step on carpet so our people can benefit,” he said.
“I will not shy away and I have no apologies to make I am the governor for the people of Mombasa and therefore my primary objective is to benefit the lives of the people of Mombasa.”
The county chief said the level 2 hospital in Bofu will be upgraded in future to a level 4.
Nassir said he will demolish the Manyatta dispensary and in its place construct a level 4 facility that will be modern and fully equipped.
He said the facility will have ultra-sound, CT scan and X-ray, theatre and laboratory machines.
“So that it will not be necessary for Likoni residents to cross the Likoni channel to go for health services in the island side,” the governor said.
He urged the county assembly members to ensure their people take part in public participation fora so their views can be captured in order to come up with a relevant Annual Development Plan.
“We don’t want to hear leaders lament in podia when things have already been done,” he said.
He said it is normal for human beings to be ungrateful.
“If I construct a cabro road where there was no road, I will be told the cabros are only stones and they want a road made of money. If I construct a road made of money, I will be told they want a road made of gold. It is normal, it is human,” Nassir said.
