‘Jumuiya’ in infancy two years after launch

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi (right) and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho (second right) with diplomats from the UK and EU brief the press on November 6 after a meeting on issues affecting the Coast on November 6, 2017. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Taita-Taveta Governor Granton Samboja said he was still waiting to be told what the agenda of the union is.
  • Dr Kingi appealed to private enterprises to invest in the bloc.

Since the establishment of the Coast economic bloc — Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani — two years ago, not one project in its plans has been implemented.

Leadership wrangles occasioned by political differences have hampered the implementation of projects proposed by the bloc, also known as the Commonwealth of Coast Counties.

Some leaders, however, have downplayed reports of disputes, painting a rosy picture of the future.
KINGPIN

Just last week, after a meeting with the United Kingdom and European Union ambassadors at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi said they would do everything in their power to ensure the scheme succeeded.

Mr Joho, the region’s kingpin, said Coast governors would join hands to develop the region.

“We will bring on board all governors, especially the new ones and collaborate in our agenda as we move forward,” he said.

Mr Joho added that Mombasa and the other five counties would collaborate with the UK and the EU on security efforts to achieve sustainable peace at the Coast.

Despite the optimism exhibited by Mr Governor Joho and Mr Kingi, a number of new governors are yet to give their views about the economic bloc, demanding more details.

Contacted, Taita-Taveta Governor Granton Samboja said he was still waiting to be told what the agenda of the union is before throwing his weight behind it.

THORNY ISSUES

“We are yet to be briefed on what it entails. Some of us are new in office so I cannot tell you if we support the plan. It will be unfair to comment on it at the moment,” said Mr Samboja.

The county boss added that his administration would support the outfit if its agenda was grounded on liberating coastal people from poverty, poor education and other thorny issues.

Lamu Governor Fahim Twaha said the secession calls championed by some leaders, including county bosses, could derail the plan.

“Devolution will ensure our people get service and their lives are improved. Splitting from the rest of Kenya is not something we should discuss or encourage,” Mr Twaha said.

In an interview with the Nation, the organisation’s technical committee chairman William Kingi said secession calls would not derail the union’s development plans.

Dr Kingi, however, acknowledged that political divisions were a challenge to the bloc.

“Last year, we received some money from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, which helped us make a blueprint of the farming and livestock industry whose flagship projects will be launched early next year,” Dr Kingi said.

The Sh18 million from FAO was meant to boost the fortunes of counties that face similar challenges, including hunger and poor health services.

Dr Kingi appealed to private enterprises to invest in the bloc.