PHOTO | GEORGE KIKAMI Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi (left) pays
his last respects to Kaya elder Katana Kalulu, who was shot dead by
unknown assailants two weeks ago. He was buried at his home at Jimba in
Watamu on February 1, 2014.
NATION MEDIA GROUP
Coast leaders will not allow “outsiders”
to divide them in their quest to form a political party that they say
will produce a presidential candidate in the next General Election,
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has said.
The governor
said the interests of the coastal people can only be secured through
unity of all leaders and not through individuals whose loyalty lies with
“some politicians in Nairobi”.
“If we mean coastal
unity, let it be the voice of the Coast people but not a single person
from the Coast working for certain individuals in Nairobi for the
purpose of getting votes from the region in 2017,” Mr Kingi said.
He
added: “There are mechanisms being used to divide Coast leaders after
sensing that we were becoming a strong united voice and a threat in
2017. The clamour for unity should not be a one-man show. It should be a
collective issue. If we want unity in Coast, let us cultivate it and
let no one impose him or herself on the people. Let us first bring the
unity then let our people say who they want to be their flag bearer.”
Mr
Kingi was speaking at the burial of Kaya elder Katana Kalulu at Jimba
in Gede. The elder was shot dead by unknown assailants two weeks ago.
The
governor said the dream of unity that the late Kalulu advocated should
be fulfilled. “He advocated the rights and unity of Coast leaders. He
was so concerned that he even shed tears at Dabaso during a thanks-
giving party for Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro. His dream must be
fulfilled.
“When we declared at Dabaso that Coast
leaders will not stop until a presidential candidate comes from the
region, many people thought we were joking. Now this is the message. The
journey has started,” he said.
NATIONAL OUTLOOK
Kaloleni Member of Parliament Gunga Mwinga said local leaders should form a party that will have a national outlook.
Mr Mung’aro blamed petty politics for the failure of unity among Coast leaders.
“Unity
is the best way but unfortunately some leaders are distracted by
supremacy contests. This is not healthy for our region. If we mean
unity, then let us remain focused and united as leaders and speak with
one voice,” he said.
Ganze MP Peter Shehe accused
people who were criticising the governor of not having the interests of
the county at heart and called on residents to rally behind Mr Kingi to
develop the area.
“Why should we always look for
excuses rather than working for the people who elected us. The governor
was elected by the people of Kilifi and should be respected and left to
discharge his duties,” said Mr Shehe.
Kilifi Senator
Stewart Madzayo said some people were derailing the county’s development
by engaging in politics whenever the government was implementing
projects meant to get people out of poverty.
“If we
continue to ignore, rebuke and mock leaders, we will not go far because
this is the worst poison one can use to derail development. We elected
leaders and one year down the line we are busy tarnishing their
reputations. How do you expect them to give services when you don’t
respect them?” Mr Madzayo asked.
Kilifi County Women
Representative Asha Jumwa Katana called on leaders to work as a team if
they hope to develop the region. She said that persistent politicking
was to blame for the under-development of the region.
“As
leaders, we should also focus our efforts on developing our region. We
understand the huge task ahead and we should not be driven by selfish
interests,” she said.
Meanwhile, County Commissioner Eratus Ekidor said seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing of the elder.
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