Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has insisted that any Presidential candidate in the 2022 General Election and who wants to engage the Coast region will only do through the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) if this region has to reap from the fruits of the national cake.
Currently, Deputy President Dr William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga are the two top contenders for the seat with both of them traversing the coast region to seek more than one million votes in the six counties combined.
Speaking during a meeting with former elected councillors, MCAs and MPs at the PAA headquarters in Mombasa, the Governor said if that happens then the coast region will for the first time in history seat at the negotiation table.
“Even if we are to meet Raila Odinga today and ask him to look at the coast region, we shall not do that at an individual capacity but rather a voice from the Coast region and it will be through PAA,” said the governor.
He reminded the former leaders that the region had lacked behind in terms of economic and social development because it lacked the unity of speaking in unison, a move that had brought in a huge divide and rule scenario that only benefited a few.
“Since this was my last term in office, I had only two options left. The easy one was to cling to Raila and stick with him so that when he wins at the top, I would personally benefit and not the entire region.
"The second option was the tough one for me.; That I detach from the arms of the other people’s political vehicles and start our own initiative that would carry on it the hopes of this region,” said the governor.
He added that although that was the most difficult path to take, he decided to take it head-on and face the realities.
“It is going to be tough and not easy. But rest assured. We shall win in this,” he told the delegates.
Former Malindi MP Lucas Maitha who spoke on behalf of the delegates said it was time that the region has to make this bold move and although he was also not sure whether it would work, he had gathered the courage to support it after it was embraced by the region.
“I thought Kingi had other plans but when I listened to him, I understood his quest and decided to join the bandwagon. We are headed for better things as the Coast region,” said Mr Maitha.
Delegates in attendance said more sensitization meetings should be carried in order to give more chances for the locals to have their input.
*This article was written by Ramadhan Kambi for Uzalendo News. Email: uzalendonews24@gmail.com to submit your story.
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