CGWU Mombasa chairperson Abdulrehman Omar [L] and secretary general Haji Mwinyi [2ND R] at Buxton, Mombasa, on Tuesday /BRIAN OTIENO
CGWU Mombasa chairperson Abdulrehman Omar [3rd R] and secretary general Haji Mwinyi [R] at Buxton, Mombasa, on Tuesday /BRIAN OTIENO
Mombasa county government workers have pledged better services for residents following the announcement of a recruitment drive for 3,000 additional staff.
The County Government Workers Union (CGWU) Mombasa branch officials said a severe shortage of workers—particularly in the environment and transport departments—has hampered service delivery.
However, following the advertisement of 3,000 casual jobs by the county on Monday, officials believe the recruitment will adequately address the shortfall.
CGWU Mombasa chairperson Abdulrehman Omar said on Tuesday the recruitment came at a time the county was preparing to mitigate the potential effects of the looming El Niño rains.
“We have been talking to our governor over the shortage we are experiencing in different departments, including the environment, transport, fire departments and the inspectorate.
“The Mombasa Yetu initiative, through which the 3,000 casuals will be employed, will greatly help clean our environment and unblock the drainage system in readiness for the El Niño rains,” Omar, who is also the union's national first signing trustee, said.
He spoke following a union meeting at their Buxton offices.
Omar said during the former municipal council regime, the environment department had about 1,800 workers.
While numbers have remained largely static since, the county's population and development have expanded significantly.
“Now, in the environment department alone, there is a shortage of about 1,500 workers,” Omar said.
The chairperson said the union will push to have the 3,000 casuals absorbed into contract terms over time, moving them closer to permanent and pensionable terms.
The 3,000 recruits will be split equally between the environment and transport departments, according to CGWU branch officials.
Omar urged residents to act responsibly and avoid littering the town.
He said carelessly discarded litter ends up clogging drainage systems, causing flash floods whenever it rains.
“Cleanliness is not only for county workers. County workers cannot be everywhere all the time. You, as a resident, have to take responsibility and know where to dispose of your litter,” Omar said.
He said civic responsibility is especially critical now that the El Niño rains are expected.
CGWU Mombasa secretary general Haji Mwinyi said union officials enjoy a cordial working relationship with the county executive, allowing grievances to be resolved swiftly.
He said the shortage of health personnel in Mombasa is being addressed following talks with the county government, which has now recruited 286 health workers to improve services.
“We have also successfully fought for the recruitment of caregivers for children in ECDEs [early childhood development education centres]. Previously, teachers faced a heavy workload because they had to teach the children and clean them up when they messed themselves,” Mwinyi said.
He said teachers can now concentrate on instruction while caregivers handle hygiene duties.
He described the workforce boost as a major gain for the county as it prepares to mitigate the impact of El Niño rains.
Mwinyi, who also serves as the union’s Coast region governing council member, urged other counties to emulate Mombasa’s constructive industrial relations.
“We were the first county to sign a CBA for workers in 2024, and now county workers operate under better terms and conditions of service,” he said.
Mwinyi said union officials will meet the governor this week to review the status of contract staff, seeking to transition them to permanent and pensionable terms to boost morale.
He said the fire department is among the hardest hit by staff shortages, operating with only about 150 personnel against an ideal strength of 700. Mwinyi is also the union’s national constitution review chairperson.
“If we can get 500 additional workers in the fire department, Mombasa will not suffer the heavy losses we experience whenever a disaster occurs. We are working round the clock with the governor to address this shortfall,” he said.
Mwinyi said while all subcounties should ideally host a fire station, currently only Likoni, Mvita and Changamwe have operational units.
He said the county government is working to provide protective gear and essential equipment.
“In the four years we have worked with this county administration, we have seen results. We are the first county where workers receive salaries promptly,” Mwinyi said.
“The governor has established a system where by the 25th of every month, all county employees have received their pay without fail, regardless of exchequer releases.”
He said while the county currently employs nearly 6,000 staff, the ideal establishment stands at about 9,000.
Mwinyi urged Mombasa youth to apply for the 3,000 advertised casual positions, noting that all eligible residents are encouraged to apply.
Instant Analysis
Mombasa is stepping up multi-agency preparations and unclogging drainage systems across all 30 wards in six subcounties ahead of impending El Niño rains. The recruitment of 3,000 casual workers will expedite civil works, though long-term disaster resilience hinges on addressing permanent staffing deficits in critical emergency services.
