Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir is facing growing pressure to fulfill his campaign promises on education and healthcare as the 2027 General Election draws closer.
Nassir, who was elected in 2022 after serving for ten years as the Member of Parliament for Mvita Constituency, had pledged to provide free healthcare services for Mombasa residents and reduce tuition fees in day secondary schools to ensure every child has access to education.
However, three years later, some parents say those promises have yet to be fully realized.
Speaking during an education forum held in Changamwe, parents complained that many students are still being sent home over unpaid school fees despite the county government introducing a school feeding programme.
They noted that they are still required to pay about KSh12,000 annually, contrary to the governor’s pledge to reduce the fees to KSh1,500.
In the health sector, parents also claimed that they continue to pay medical charges despite promises of affordable healthcare and the registration of residents under the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme.
Governor Nassir, however, blamed some public hospitals for charging patients for laboratory tests and medication outside hospital facilities, saying the practice goes against county government policy.
He said some of the challenges stem from sabotage by officials opposed to the implementation of his programmes and vowed to take disciplinary action against those responsible.
The governor also pledged to tour different parts of the county and hold meetings with parents and school administrators to ensure his directives are fully implemented.
