Marwa rival transferred to Kisumu after two months in post

Mombasa County commissioner Maalim Mohamed has been transferred amid claims of controversy with his boss, Coast regional coordinator Nelson Marwa.

Mr Mohamed has been moved to Kisumu two months after his transfer to Mombasa from Bungoma. He will be replaced by Mr Evans Achoki who returns from Murang’a County. Mr Achoki was moved from Mombasa and replaced by Mr Mohamed in June.

Sources close to the administrators on Tuesday claimed Mr Mohamed was not in good books with Mr Marwa. They indicated that Mr Marwa was uncomfortable with the county commissioner for “working closely with opposition leaders in the county” including Governor Hassan Joho, a critic of the government.

“Maalim is in Kisumu preparing to officially report as the county commissioner,” said the source adding that Mr Achoki will be in Mombasa on Wednesday.

The transfer comes at a time when the two officials have differed on administrative matters, especially their approaches in the war against crime. “Marwa has not been in good terms with Maalim as he has been seen to be working closely with Governor Joho and other local leaders. Remember, these are the same leaders who have in the past taken on Marwa accusing him of high-handedness,” the source added.
The insider revealed that it was due to this that Mr Mohamed was reported to “high authorities” as “protecting” the leaders.
Strange crime
Early this month, differences emerged between Mr Marwa and Mr Mohamed following reports of a strange breed of crime where a gang of youths mugged women and suckled their breasts.
While Mr Marwa confirmed the gang’s existence, Mr Mohamed differed, saying there had been no such claims, and asked victims to report such incidents to police.

STOP SITTING IN OFFICE

At a press conference on July 20, Mr Marwa said: “I have asked the county commissioner to move on the ground and stop sitting in the office talking big. He should move to the ground and stop this madness. It is one thing, to talk tough and another to address issues on the ground.”

In what is rare in the civil service Mr Mohamed replied: “I am not defensive but we want facts, not allegations.

“As we speak, the Kisauni deputy count commissioner’s office is saying there is no official report regarding women being attacked and their breasts suckled.”

He went on: “I have my own way of operating and I do not want to be engaged in clashes”.

Mr Marwa has taken on Mombasa politicians including, Mr Joho and MPs, and sometimes even top police officers on issues of corruption and poor performance.

Mr Mohamed who has been chairing the Mombasa County Security Committee has served in the county for only two months.

The administrator, believed to have been instrumental in wiping out the dreaded Sabaot Land Defence Force militia in Mt Elgon and parts of Bungoma town, is said to have been brought to Mombasa to deal with insecurity, especially in Kisauni sub-county, Likoni, Changamwe and Mombasa’s Old Town.

In two months, more than six members of the notorious Wakali Kwanza and Wakali Wao gangs have been gunned down by police and more than 30 youths arrested.