President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Coast charm offensive
President Kenyatta with Kaskazi Beach Hotel directors Mr and Mrs Gekonde in Ukunda after he opened the Dr Gekonde Otara Conference Centre at the refurbished hotel in Kwale County on August 15, 2014. Mr Kenyatta on September 1 met Kwale MCAs at State House Mombasa. FILE PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA |
What you need to know:
- The MPs, most of who are from Cord, were led by Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Gideon Mung’aro.
- Monday’s meeting was closed to the media but some MPs who attended said they had also agreed to oppose the referendum.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday met Coast Members of Parliament at State House, Mombasa, where they reportedly agreed to work together.
The MPs, most of who are from Cord, were led by Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Gideon Mung’aro.
Mr Kenyatta’s meetings with local leaders have been characterised by the same conciliatory tone.
During the opening of the Mombasa Show last week, the same enthusiasm was in evidence, with MPs pledging to work with the government to solve the Coast’s problems.
Monday’s meeting was closed to the media but some MPs who attended said they had also agreed to oppose the referendum, a key opposition initiative led by Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetang’ula, saying the issues raised can be discussed in Parliament.
Other sources at the meeting revealed that the MPs asked the President to hasten the issuance of title deeds to end the squatter problem in the Coast.
Among the MPs were Mvita’s Abdulswamad Nassir, Likoni’s Masoud Mwahima and Malindi MP Dan Kazungu.
“The President pledged to work closely with Coast leaders in order to deliver services to Kenyans. His government’s position is to bring change to this country by lifting the lives of all citizens,” the source said.
DEVELOP PROJECTS
Speaking at the showground last week, Mr Mung’aro, a former ODM Whip who was recently removed, asked the government to spend the Sh8 billion required for the referendum on development projects at the Coast rather than for the vote.
Mr Mung’aro, who is also the Kilifi North MP, said MPs in the region would no longer be dictated to by Cord leaders, adding that they will decide on their own whether to reject or support the referendum.
“I am appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta to set aside the Sh8 billion which might be spent on the referendum for development projects at the Coast,” he said.
He added: “The days are gone whereby Coast MPs used to be dictated by national party leaders. We will decide whether to reject or support the referendum.”
“The top Cord leaders have no powers to coerce us on the referendum issue. We cannot be pushed to support the referendum for individuals’ gain,” he said.
He said all the 32 MPs from the region will work hand in hand with the Jubilee government on the development agenda.
Mijikenda Kaya elders’ spokesman, Peter Shehe also said Kaya elders from across the region have rejected the call for a referendum.
Mr Shehe, who is also the Ganze MP, argued that Kaya elders who are revered by the Mijikenda community, are opposed to the referendum since it would cost the government Sh8 billion.
The President also assured MCAs throughout the country that their welfare will be adequately taken care of.
