Coast Development Authority chief replaced

By Patrick Beja

The Coast Development Authority (CDA) managing director has been shown the door.

Dr Nesbert Mangale has been replaced by a deputy secretary in the Ministry of Regional Development Francis Kipkech in an acting capacity.

Sources at CDA confirmed to The Standard that the ministry replaced Mangale for failure to meet required targets as per the performance contracting signed three years ago.

"The board of directors assessed his performance for the last three years of the contract before declining to renew his contract," said an official who confirmed the changes.

"The board advised the ministry not to renew his contract."

Mangale’s mobile telephone went unanswered when The Standard tried to reach him yesterday.

Senior CDA officials confirmed that Mr Kipkech chaired a management meeting at the agency’s office in Mombasa.

Dr Mangale, who worked as a researcher at the Agricultural Research Institute, replaced the late Prof Juma Lugogo three years ago.

CDA was established in 1992 to champion development of the Coast region but has been plagued by inadequate funding.

It is among six other regional authorities established by the Government.

The others include Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority, Lake Basin Development Authority, Kerio Valley Development Authority, Ewaso Ngiro South Development Authority and Ewaso Ngiro North Development Authority.

Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) vice chair Mr Gideon Munga’ro recently said inadequate funding had stalled the authority’s operations.

Mung’aro, who is Malindi MP, however, said CDA should partner with the private sector to carry out income generating projects and sustain itself.

CDA’s area of jurisdiction includes Coast Province (Kwale, Msambweni, Kinango, Taita, Taveta, Kaloleni, Kilindini, Mombasa, Kilifi, Malindi, Tana River and Lamu districts), Ijara district of North Eastern Province.

CDA is charged with drawing up regional development plans in the region.