All civil servants at the Coast must report to work on Monday morning, Coast regional coordinator Nelson Marwa has said. Failure to do this will result in sacking, he warned.
“A physical count will be done,” Marwa added.
He spoke to journalists at Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa on Saturday. Business is slowly returning to normal in the county. However, a good number of shops and other business premises remain closed. This, according to Marwa, conveys the wrong message that there is tension in Mombasa and at the Coast.
“Investors should know that the whole of Coast region is calm. People should open their business premises and resume operations,” he said.
Mombasa Governor-elect Hassan Joho echoed Marwa’s sentiments, saying life has to get back to normal.
“There will be no celebrations. Just go home, rest and resume your normal activities later,” he said after he received his election certificate from Mombasa county returning officer Nancy Kariuki.
On Thursday, the Matatu Owners’ Association urged members to get their vehicles back on the roads. After the August 8 General Election, Mombasa, like many other towns, was turned into a ghost town with most residents choosing to remain indoors.
Continued closure of businesses only unnecessarily makes life difficult for Kenyans, Marwa said. He said there is no cause to worry and the county is safe. To emphasize his point, Marwa, Coast regional police commander Larry Kieng and regional AP boss James Akoru walked around the streets of Mombasa town.
They had lunch at a food kiosk in Mama Ngina before speaking to journalists. Marwa said for the first time, the Coast has had peace during and after an election.
“And this is because of the youth who have accepted to keep peace,” he said.
Marwa urged leaders not to incite people to violence but instead preach peace.
“There is always a next time. If you feel aggrieved, seek legal redress,” he said.