Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has pledged to continue collecting taxes from traders at Kongowea market in Nyali Constituency after President Uhuru Kenyatta instructed traders not to pay a dime.

Speaking exclusively to Pulse Live Kenya, the County’s Communication Director Richard Chacha mentioned that Mr. Kenyatta did not have the mandate to make such a declaration.

"Markets are devolved so no such order can be issued," he said in the phone interview.

Mr. Chacha highlighted that the County was continuing to collect the taxes despite the President’s order which was viewed as a cause of war between him and the Governor.

The two have not been seeing eye to eye and his visit to the County is one of the rarest where the two have not come into a confrontation.

The Communication Director noted that contrary to Mr. Kenyatta’s statements, where he mentioned police arresting traders will have action taken against them, officers were continuing to carry out their duties in the market.

He noted that Mr. Joho will address the Head of State’s remarks at a rally in Mombasa on Sunday.

On Monday the President said: “This market was built by money from the national government. It was built for the traders and not for an individual. We will investigate and see if it’s not being used well”.

“Do not pay until you get services. I am asking police officers not to be used to harass and arrest the traders who will not pay the taxes, he stated.