MOMBASA, Kenya – Parents have been urged to exercise financial discipline during the Christmas and New Year festivities to avoid economic strain when schools reopen in January after the two-month holiday break.
Jomvu Member of Parliament Badi Twalib issued the appeal on Sunday while speaking during the annual Jomvu Boat Racing competition, an event graced by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir. The MP cautioned parents against overspending, reminding them that school fees and other essential needs should remain a top priority.
Twalib commended the County Government of Mombasa for formalising the boat racing competition and integrating it into the county’s annual events calendar, a move he said would guarantee the sustainability of the cultural and sporting event for years to come. Kitanga Juu Beach Management Unit emerged as the overall winner of this year’s competition.
“It means whether Badi or Abdulswamad are in office or not, the event will continue for years,” said Twalib, while also urging residents to maintain peace and unity during the festive season.
The MP further advised parents and guardians to plan ahead for the January school reopening by setting aside funds for school shopping even as they celebrate the holidays.
In addition, Twalib called on the Abdulswamad-led administration to develop a structured programme to identify, support and sponsor upcoming artistes whose growth has been hindered by financial challenges.
“We want to scout and sponsor our artistes so that they can become famous like others in Kenya. Artistes from Jomvu should also rise,” he said, adding that collaboration with the county government would help link local youth to employment opportunities.
Twalib also thanked the national government for completing the Dongo Kundu Bypass, terming it a transformative infrastructure project that has significantly eased transportation between Mombasa and Kwale counties. He further pledged to distribute bursary application forms directly to secondary schools to eliminate long queues at his office.
On his part, Governor Nassir announced that from next year, the annual boat racing event would be upgraded into a mega competition attracting participants from across the country.
The Governor also revealed plans to establish a vehicle marshalling yard in Jomvu to accommodate trucks waiting to access the Port of Mombasa, noting that the project would create employment opportunities for local youth.
“If we manage to put all the trucks in one place and complete it this year, it will create employment opportunities for the youth of Jomvu,” Nassir said.
Additionally, the Governor pledged to fast-track the issuance of land title deeds to enable residents to legally own land and use the documents as collateral for loans. He also called for peaceful coexistence among residents.
Governor Nassir further disclosed that a supplementary budget would be tabled in the County Assembly to ensure all secondary school learners receive bursaries when schools reopen in January.
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