Mombasa, Kenya (Daily Report KE) — Dhadho Godhana, Governor of Tana River County, has been unanimously elected Chairman of Jumuiya Ya Kaunti Za Pwani (JKP), succeeding Gideon Mung’aro of Kilifi County.
Governor Godhana becomes the fourth chair of the regional economic bloc, which was formally established in 2014 and operates a secretariat based in Mombasa.
The bloc brings together six coastal counties, Mombasa County, Kwale County, Kilifi County, Lamu County, Taita Taveta County and Tana River County, with a mandate to promote regional growth through shared resources, policy harmonization, and coordinated economic planning.
Focus on Unity and Shared Prosperity
Speaking after his election by fellow governors, Abdulswamad Nassir, Fatuma Achani, Gideon Mung’aro, Issa Timamy and Andrew Mwadime, Godhana underscored the need for unity among the coastal leadership.
“Unity amongst the six coastal governors must be sustained,” he said.
Godhana, who also chairs the Security and Foreign Affairs Committee at the Council of Governors (CoG), pledged to focus on wealth creation, job opportunities and expansion of blue economy initiatives to enhance the region’s economic significance.
Blue Economy and High-Impact Projects
The incoming chair said his administration would prioritize agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and blue economy projects under a coordinated regional framework.
“Under my leadership the JKP will focus on high-impact socio-economic projects, sustainable growth and the blue economy,” he said.
He added that collaborative efforts among counties would help chart a shared development agenda aimed at sustainable prosperity.
Outgoing chairman Gideon Mung’aro highlighted the bloc’s progress under initiatives such as the Go Blue Project, which seeks to strengthen the blue economy while addressing gender exclusion, poverty and marginalization.
According to Mung’aro, the project has trained 2,000 women and youth and delivered 26 modern fishing boats to fisherfolk across the coastal region.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation
JKP Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Nzai said the bloc will roll out additional citizen-centered programs to deepen regional economic integration.
Dr. Nzai noted that JKP aims to catalyze economic growth, harmonize policies, coordinate socio-economic cooperation and promote tourism and investment assets across the six counties.
As Governor Godhana assumes office, expectations are high that the coastal economic bloc will accelerate regional development, expand partnerships and position the coast as a key driver of Kenya’s economic transformation
