Kilifi ODM gubernatorial candidate Gideon Mungaro has vowed to push for the establishment of textile industry in each of the seven sub counties.
The move he said is meant to address lack of employment by giving job opportunities to more than 20,000 Kilifi residents.
Mr Mungaro was speaking during a meeting with opinion leaders drawn from Shimo La Tewa ward in Kilifi South sub county.
The meeting which was also addressed by Azimio Coast leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was used by the Azimio brigade to drum up support for Azimio Presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga.
” I have already talked to a number of Investors who are ready to open up industries especially in the Export Processing Zone a(EPZs). My target for Kilifi is to make sure we have a textile industry in each of the seven constituencies. If this happens then we shall be able to create jobs for more than 20,000 people who will work in this sector,” he said.
Mr Mungaro added that the county has a rich potential in terms of development and said that already he is working with more Investors to make sure that Mtwapa town maintain its vibrant business growth and it’s 24-hour economy growth.
” I know some of the hindrance to the speedy growth of Mtwapa town is the issue of poor drainage, lack of proper lighting. We have a plan to make sure that we install security lights in suburb of the town to enable traders operate even late into the night. We can afford to loose the business that is thriving in Mtwapa,” he said.
He promised the resident and traders that his administration will construct another open air market within Mtwapa town since the one constructed by the current administration is far away and traders find it difficult to trader as customers keep it at bay.
“Even if it means purchasing another land within Mtwapa town to built an open air market, rest assured, we shall do that because our focus is to create more job opportunities for our people apart from creating a conductive environment for traders.
Mr Mungaro who is the leader of the Azimio brigade in Kilifi told the leaders that the future of this country rests in the hands of Mr Odinga and that the people of Kilifi should elect him as the next President.
“I know even as we push for me to be the Governor, we shall be in even more better position if we elect Mr Odinga to be the next President of this country. He has fought for almost everything that we enjoy today in this country. We shall be more safe in his hands than the other team that is going around the country misleading Kenyans,” he said.Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo who also attended the meeting poked holes of Governor Amason Kingi s administration, blaming it on the woes Kilifi residents are going through.
He said that despite pushing for more funds to Kilifi County, the region has remained under developed since most of the funds ended in corrupt hands.”I have been fighting to have more funds channeled to Kilifi county but it saddens me when slot of the money is pocketed by corrupt individuals at the expense of needy residents. We can only change this situation by supporting Mr Mungaro for the top county seat,* said Mr Madzayo.
Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga hit at the county government for failing to deliver to the expectations of the locals and told the leaders to rally behind Mr Mungaro for the betterment of the county.
“Governor Amason Kingi was at the helm of this county for ten years and for that entire period, nothing tangible in terms of development has been witnessed in Mtwapa town. Surprisingly even after he failed, he thought the best option for the people was to bring to them a political part, which he later on took it to Kenya Kwanza, the Deputy President William Ruto led coalition.
Does this person really has the Coast and Kilifi at heart,” . We must reject his schemes and let us all vote for Gideon Mungaro who is ready to bring the much required change in this county,” he said.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho also drummed support for Mr Mungaro, calling him q focused leader out to enhance the economic development of the region.
“I know Mungaro has the capacity to transform this county. He has what it takes for a transformative leader and in him, the people of Kilifi will witness a fast and rapid development of the region,” he said.
Governor Joho said that for this country to move to another level in terms of development,then Kenyans should elect Azimio leader Raila Odinga to the fifth President of this country.
“We might have the best vision regionally but it will come into operation of we elect Mr Odinga as the next President. He has what it takes to move this country forward,” said Joho.