Marwa to oversee Coast region after he is given powerful post in shuffle

Newly appointed Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa during a raid at an EPZ yard in Jomvu-Miritini, Mombasa, on January 20, 2016. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The sometimes controversial Marwa is regarded as the toughest county commissioner in the country and his promotion now gives him more power in the Coast region.

  • On several occasions, he has taken on Mombasa politicians, including Governor Hassan Joho and MPs.

  • Nyanza Regional Coordinator Francis Mutie was moved to Harambee House only two weeks after he accused Rift Valley politicians of sponsoring clashes on the Nandi-Kisumu border.

The long-serving and tough-talking Mombasa County Commissioner Nelson Marwa has been promoted to Coast Regional Coordinator.

Mr Marwa takes over from Mr Samuel Kilele, who was moved to the Western region in the same capacity.

Kwale County Commissioner Evans Achoki will take over from Mr Marwa as the Mombasa County boss. It was not immediately clear who would take over in Kwale.

The sometimes controversial Marwa is regarded as the toughest county commissioner in the country and his promotion now gives him more power in the Coast region.

A day after he was promoted, Mr Marwa swung into action Wednesday when he accompanied detectives in Mombasa in arresting two suspected rice smugglers.

He also suspended operations at their go-down.

IMPROVED SECURITY

Mr Marwa is among the public and State officers who have been credited with improving security in Mombasa.

He has been consistent in his fight against radicalism and extremism and drug trafficking.

The administrator, who appears to have the President’s ear, has been tough and controversial in equal measure.

On several occasions, he has taken on Mombasa politicians, including Governor Hassan Joho and MPs, and sometimes even with top police officers over corruption and poor performance.

At a recent press conference, where reporters asked him whether his frequent public clashes with other leaders and security officers did not amount to washing dirty linen in public, Mr Marwa insisted that professionalism must be upheld.

He said he may sometimes have issues with “a few misguided individuals” but deals with them in accordance with the law.

“We may differ in principle, but that should not be misconstrued as clashing,” he said.

“Professionalism and upholding high standards cannot be described as washing dirty linen in public. Most police officers are doing a fantastic job, but there are a few who engage in corruption and even collude with criminals, besides running protection rackets. We will not allow a few rotten eggs to give the police a bad name.”

Mr Marwa has in the past described himself as a friend of the media.

“Maybe that is why it seems as though I am too vocal ... I believe that the media is an integral partner in marshalling the country towards a progressive course. With their help, I have been able to pre-empt criminal activities and save lives. This has made it possible to contribute towards our President’s efforts to address social challenges facing Kenya, so that we can have a better country,” he said during a press briefing.

Further afield in Nyanza, Regional Coordinator Francis Mutie was moved to Harambee House only two weeks after he sensationally accused Rift Valley politicians of sponsoring clashes on Nandi-Kisumu border.

He was replaced by Nyandarua County Commissioner Wilson Njenga, in changes made by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government, headed by Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery.