We will come to discuss our boundaries when we want

IIBRC

FEB 4, 2010

By EUGENE OMILO

Low turnout characterized the second day of the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC) yesterday in Mombasa as locals continued to agitate for more civic and parliamentary seats.

The three commissioners, Murshid Mohamed, Joseph Kaguthi and Rozaah Buyu had to wait for more than an hour before commencing the hearings as only a handful had turned out for the public hearings by 9 am.

Majority of those who attended yesterday’s sittings were mainly from Changamwe where major differences among political leaders have emerged over the proposed split of the current constituency into two.

Speaker after speaker stood to give their proposal on how the two proposed constituencies should be divided with each faction claiming Changamwe ward which has the majority of voters and industries.

However, the arguments did not degenerate into a fight as was the case during Tuesday’s hearings.

Most of the speakers were of the view that more wards are created to have an equal number of wards in all the four constituencies.

Chama Cha Wananchi (CCU) leader Maur Bwanamaka said the review of the boundaries be based on equality as the current constituencies and wards were created out of political patronage and not out of the needs of local residents giving Mvita as example.

 “That seat (Mvita) which is smaller in size than many wards in Changamwe and Kisauni was created by former president Moi to benefit his ally the late Shariff Nassir to get elected easily,” claimed Bwanamaka.

 Mohammed Faki of Port Reitz proposed that the whole of Mombasa Island should be made to be Mvita constituency while the number of districts be reduced from the current five, Mombasa, Kilindini, Likoni, Changamwe and Kisauni to four.

“We do not want changes to the boundaries of Mombasa municipality since it would be better to preserve it for historical purposes,” said Murshid.

Commissioner Murshid who chaired the session on behalf of Andrew Ligale challenged women to give their views as most had left men to dominate.

ENDS…