I will continue to help residents get jobs, says MP

Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro says he will continue to use his relationship with the Jubilee administration to push for job opportunities for Coast residents.

The rebel Orange Democratic Movement lawmaker made the remarks despite criticism from some political leaders in the region, who said his actions amount to canvassing and could land him in court.

The controversial MP told the Nation on Monday that as a leader representing the interests of Coastal people, there is nothing wrong in his push for them to serve in top positions.

Mr Mung’aro last week said he was among the top leaders in the region who pushed for the appointment of Ms Catherine Mturi-Wairi as the new managing director of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).

He also said several development projects in the region had been started by the Jubilee government after he abandoned the Opposition to work with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

“When the President came to Mombasa for the teachers’ conference recently, we asked him to make sure the position of managing director for the KPA was filled by an individual from the region. As Coast leaders, we are mandated to do so,” said Mr Mung’aro.

However, his remarks were disputed by some leaders, including Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi who said: “Ms Mturi-Wairi rose through the ranks to become the first woman to serve in that position at the KPA. So for one to claim that he pushed for her employment is wrong and amounts to canvassing, and can land one in court.”

He added: “As Coast leaders, our opinion was that she deserved to be in that position.” He spoke during an interview in Kilifi Town at the weekend.

Kilifi Woman Representative Aisha Jumwa also criticised Mr Mung’aro’s remarks saying: “Mr Mung’aro is trying to tell the people of Coast that they cannot be employed by the Jubilee government unless he and his team beg the Head of State. That is demeaning to the people.”