Coast counties join forces to tackle economic woes

Governors of six Coast counties have finally signed an agreement setting up an economic bloc that will tackle the socio-economic challenges facing residents.

The union — Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani or the Commonwealth of Coast Counties — was launched at Fort Jesus in Mombasa on Saturday.
The counties are Mombasa, Taita-Taveta, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi and Kwale.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya described the bloc as a “home- grown solution” to the perennial challenges common to the member counties.

“We have been crying that we are marginalised by the national government. We are the poorest, yet our counties are home to most of the national resources.

“There are many economic challenges in the Coast and they are causing social instability,” Mr Mvurya said during the launch.

“Today (Saturday), we have made the most important stride in uniting against land injustices, illiteracy, decline in tourism and insecurity, among other challenges. I am convinced we are headed for a win,” he added.

Mr Mvurya, who is also the chairman of the union, said the six counties would achieve faster equitable economic growth, leading to employment and wealth creation, if they worked as a team.

PURELY ECONOMIC

He said the Jumuiya is a purely economic association.

“The Jumuiya secretariat comprises academicians, experts and technocrats. They have no political ambitions. We have never identified ourselves by our political inclinations, but an ambition to change the lives of the people. This was evident during the 10 consultative meetings the governors and the secretariat had,” he said.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding is a forerunner to an August economic conference.

The economic blueprint to guide the transformation of the region would be based on the issues that will emerge at the meeting.

Some MPs from the Coast, including Mr Gideon Mungaro (Kilifi North), have criticised the Jumuiya since the idea of forming it was conceived on November 16, 2014.

Mr Mvurya said branding the union a political outfit was a diversionary tactic by “enemies”.

While acknowledging the challenges posed by the critics, the Kwale governor said the launch did not mean locking out other people with different ideas.

Jumuiya is anchored in Article 189 (2) of the Constitution, which allows for cooperation among counties as well as the national government to improve performance and service delivery to the people.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi said the signing of the agreement had set the stage for another battle.

“The challenge that lies ahead is that of bringing up the child born today so that we can enjoy the fruits he will produce. Opposition is imminent. But we have resolved to turn the challenges into opportunities,” he said.

Turning to politicians labelling the Jumuiya a political outfit and linking it to secessionists, Mr Kingi said: “Our role as governors is to give a leadership face. But the real work is done by the technocrats. Jumuiya is not of the view that ‘Pwani si Kenya’. We derive our authority from the Constitution. There is no way we can turn against what has given us the power to work together,” he said.

REBRAND HOSPITAL

He urged “doubting Thomases” to join the governors in building one ark, in which they would take refuge during economic storms.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said: “Cries that we are marginalised will stop. This is a new beginning. By signing the agreement, we have taken charge of our destiny,” he said.

Mr Joho said one of the first projects was to equip and rebrand the Coast General Hospital to a Jumuiya facility.

Tana River Governor Hussein Dado said the Jumuiya would last just like Fort Jesus, where the leaders signed the agreement.

Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu said pooling resources would help solve problems dating back to 1963.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said the union would continue to perform its work despite any criticism. He said residents would start supporting the bloc if leaders and the secretariat touch their lives.