A recent assessment by Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) has found that Taita Taveta County lodged 160 petitions to its county assembly between 2013 and 2026. This figure is more than four times the 39 petitions recorded in Mombasa during the same period. The report highlights an uneven use of county grievance mechanisms across the Coast region. Taita Taveta's high number of petitions suggests that residents are actively using the county assembly to address their concerns.
Other coastal counties have filed considerably fewer petitions, according to the HURIA report. Tana River County recorded 32 petitions, Kilifi 15, Kwale six, and Lamu just one. The concentration of public grievances in Taita Taveta raises questions about the factors contributing to this trend. HURIA's executive director, Yusuf Lule, explained that the assessment aimed to gauge how effectively county assemblies handle complaints and whether existing mechanisms support governance and peaceful grievance resolution.
The petitions in Taita Taveta and other counties span a range of issues, including land and natural resource management, environmental concerns, water and climate change, security, peacebuilding, education, youth services, and broader social cohesion. In Mombasa, residents of Mwembekuku and Bondeni have recently filed petitions over longstanding land tenure uncertainty. They are urging the assembly to clarify actions taken on National Land Commission recommendations.
Mombasa County Assembly Clerk Salim Juma acknowledged the need to collaborate with HURIA to identify weaknesses in petition handling and develop practical improvements. The HURIA report provides a basis for the county assembly to review its petition management processes. By addressing these weaknesses, the assembly can improve its responsiveness to residents' concerns and enhance governance.
Following the assessment, the Mombasa County Assembly and HURIA agreed to set timelines for further engagement. They plan to meet within two weeks to consider measures for better petition management. The upcoming discussions will focus on translating the report's recommendations into concrete changes in how complaints are received, processed, and tracked.
The Mombasa County Assembly's efforts to improve petition handling are part of a broader effort to enhance accountability and transparency. By working with HURIA, the assembly can ensure that residents' concerns are addressed in a timely and effective manner. This collaboration has the potential to strengthen governance and build trust between residents and county officials.
The HURIA report's findings and recommendations have implications for county assemblies across Kenya's Coast region. By examining the factors contributing to the high number of petitions in Taita Taveta, other counties can identify opportunities to improve their own grievance mechanisms. Ultimately, this can lead to more effective governance and better service delivery for residents.
Key points
- Taita Taveta County filed 160 petitions from 2013-2026, four times more than Mombasa's 39.
- The petitions span issues such as land and natural resource management, environmental concerns, and social cohesion.
- Mombasa County Assembly and HURIA plan to meet within two weeks to discuss measures for better petition management.
