Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir on Tuesday urged residents of Mombasa to uphold peaceful coexistence during the Christmas season, saying unity across religious and ethnic lines remains the county’s greatest strength.
Speaking during the annual Governor’s Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, Nassir said Mombasa continues to stand out nationally as a county where people of different faiths, tribes and backgrounds live together in harmony.
“No governor is more blessed than the governor of Mombasa because here we have people of all religions, tribes and backgrounds living together peacefully,” Nassir said.
He warned against leaders who use religion, ethnicity or hate speech for political gain, urging them to focus on policies that improve people’s lives.
“If you have no policies to sell, do not sell hatred,” the governor said.
Nassir said his administration remains committed to protecting unity in the county and ensuring politics does not become a source of division.
“We will never allow politics to divide the people of Mombasa. Unity is what defines us,” he said.
Speaking at the tree lighting ceremony, Reverend Father Dr. Richard Airo, Director of the Interreligious Dialogue Commission of Mombasa and adviser to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, commended the county leadership for supporting Christian activities while maintaining inclusivity.
“We are blessed to have a governor who cares about the interests of Christians, which is rare,” Father Airo said.
As the newly appointed chair of the Mombasa County Christmas Committee, he said the committee would work beyond the festive season to promote unity among Christians and strengthen cooperation with Muslim communities.
“This will not just be a committee that waits for Christmas. Starting January, we will engage more to promote unity among Christians and with our Muslim brothers and sisters,” he said.
Anglican Church of Kenya Mombasa Diocese Bishop Dr. Alphonse Baya Mwaro called on residents to celebrate responsibly, warning that road accidents tend to increase during the festive period.
“As we enter the Christmas season, we ask residents to be careful, to be ambassadors of peace and to uphold good morals,” Bishop Mwaro said.
He commended the county government for maintaining peace and stability, saying Mombasa has remained free from religious and ethnic divisions.
Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde said Christmas highlights the importance of family as the foundation of society, noting that the birth of Jesus Christ in a family setting underscores the need for strong family values.
Deputy Governor Francis Thoya said the county government values its partnership with religious leaders and called for continued collaboration to promote harmony and development.
The ceremony was attended by senior county officials, clergy from various Christian denominations and community leaders, marking the official start of the 2025 Christmas celebrations in Mombasa.