Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has sought to calm tensions surrounding the ongoing dispute between Kenya Railways and the Little Theatre Club (LTC), assuring artists that they will not be evicted from the historic property.

The Governor was addressing the media after a meeting with the Little Theatre Club taskforce team led by Chairman Daudi Anguka, where discussions focused on protecting the interests of creatives while safeguarding public property.

Speaking during the briefing, Governor Nassir downplayed the standoff, describing the issues as minor and capable of being resolved through dialogue and adherence to earlier agreements.

“The issues that are there are just minor. It’s simply about making sure that what was agreed is implemented, including ensuring that the artists are not evicted from this property,” the Governor said.

He emphasised the need for peaceful coexistence between all parties involved, noting that harmony was achievable if agreed frameworks were respected.

“There is nothing wrong with people living in harmony,” he added.

The Governor revealed that the County Government of Mombasa has proposed that agreements reached between Little Theatre Club and the Ministry be formalised into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure clarity and long-term stability.

“As the county government, we have proposed that everything they agreed and signed in the minutes be made into an official MOU,” he said.

However, Governor Nassir faulted the initial process, noting that the county government had been excluded from earlier discussions despite its critical role.

“Those minutes did not involve us; they only involved Little Theatre Club and the Ministry. The county government should have been involved,” he stated.

He said he had reviewed the minutes from the last meeting and forwarded them to the County Attorney for further action.

Among the key agreements highlighted is the establishment of a Railway Training Institute, allocation of space for creative activities, and assurances that creatives will not be interfered with.

"Among the agreements is that a railway training institute be established, space be allocated for creatives, and that creatives are not interfered with,” he said.

The Governor also pointed out that the area is gazetted as a national monument, meaning its status limits major alterations to the site.

“The area is gazetted. What they cannot do is reconstruct the whole area. Repairs can be done, but being a national monument means you are preserving the area,” he explained.

He called on the Ministry to engage the county government early whenever plans affecting the site are being considered.

All the Ministry needed to do was to reach out to us and tell us the plans,” Governor Nassir said.

Reaffirming his confidence in the ongoing talks, the Governor assured both artists and Kenya Railways that the matter would be resolved amicably.

“I want to assure the artists and Railways that I am confident whatever they agreed will mature into something meaningful for all of us,” he said.