Coast region CORD leaders assure President Uhuru Kenyatta of support

Deputy President William Ruto (left) with politician Kenneth Matiba at the former opposition leader’s home in Mombasa. [Photo: DPPS]

By DPPS

Mombasa, Kenya: A section of Coast leaders have resolved to back the Government in a meeting that was dominated by calls to protect minerals and land in the region.

The MPs allied to CORD said they can only deliver promises they made to the electorate by working with Government.

Led by Kwale Governor Salim Mvuria (CORD), the leaders at the weekend called on locals not to sell their land during the meeting at Kwale Government Training Institute with Deputy President William Ruto. Instead, residents were encouraged to rent out. They noted there was upsurge and rush to buy land in the region because of rich minerals.

MPs Khatib Mwashetani, Zainab Chidzuga and Hassan Manyoa, all from CORD declared to work with the Government.

Mr Manyoa said: “We were in CORD, but today we have decided to work with the Government.”

“We cannot engage in politics every time, we want development in this area.” Ms Chidzuga praised the Government for reaching out to all Kenyans irrespective of parties they voted for.

“We will back the Government in its efforts to develop the country. We can only be protected if we are close to the Government,” she said.

Mr Mwashetani said it was only the Government that can protect coastal people from cartels, especially in the mining sector.

The leaders also called on Government to speedily push for enactment of Wildlife Bill to enable them receive enough compensation in cases of death and destruction of property.

Mr Mvuria defended his decision to host Ruto saying the Constitution provided right to association.

He praised the Government for increasing the counties allocation from Sh190 billion to Sh210 billion.

The Governor said a land audit in the county indicated that most leases had expired and wanted the land returned to locals.

Expired leases

MPs Harrison Kombe, Gonzi Rai, Sabina Chege, Kimani Ngunjiri, Oscar Sudi, Florence Kajuju, Ibrahim Sane and Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki attended the meeting.

Most of the MPs backed the decision by Mining minister Najib Balala to cancel licences of some mining companies. Mr Ruto said while the region did not vote overwhelmingly for the Government, it will benefit like others. He added a new mining law will ensure that residents and counties benefit from minerals.

The Deputy President said the Government will not allow middlemen and brokers to trade with mining licences.