Kenya: Mombasa Governor-elect extends olive branch to the Catholic Church.

CISA – Mombasa, Kenya.

Mombasa County Governor-Elect, Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has said that his first executive order after being sworn into office would be to waive any levies related to Churches. He spoke during Mass at the Holy Ghost Cathedral in Mombasa recently.

No more taxes on Churches

The Governor-elect who will be sworn into office on September 15 alongside Francis Thoya, his deputy, declared that under his administration, there will be no more taxes on Churches paid to the county government.

During the occasion, governor-elect Shariff Nassir requested the local ordinary for the Catholic Diocese of Mombasa, Most Rev Martin Kivuva Musonde to accompany him during his tenure as governor.

"I believe that you will be side by side with me, not just during the swearing-in ceremony but you will be there to guide me as well for my tenure for the next five years," he said amidst cheerful claps from the congregation.

A time to deliver on promises

The former Mvita constituency Member of National Assembly (MP), moreover, thanked residents of the county for allowing him the opportunity to serve them conveying that, “Now is our time to be able to deliver on the promises…”

The first-time governor-elect also urged Archbishop Kivuva to utilise the office of the governor during the 100-year celebrations of the existence of the Holy Ghost Cathedral.

"It will be in history. That will never be erased. During the 100-year celebration, I hope I will be invited. I’m hoping you will use my office to the utmost. If it is to ensure the visitors travel here…whatever, let my office facilitate all that,” Abdulswamad promised.