Coast needs autonomy for growth, say MPs

By Renson Mnyamwezi and Maureen Mudi

An assistant minister has said the only way Coast Province can benefit from her resources is by being autonomous.

Education Assistant Minister Calist Mwatela told a leader’s meeting in his Mwatate constituency only independence would enable communities to benefit from their resources.

Mr Mwatela claimed despite the fact the region was endowed with enormous resources, residents had not effectively benefited from them.

The minister criticised Government for "failing to remit back for development" a larger percentage of regional earnings mainly from tourism and Kenya Ports Authority.

Worked elsewhere

He noted Coast contributes a large percentage of revenue to the Exchequer but little was ploughed back.

The Mwatate MP disclosed Coast MPs have resolved to lobby for the right to secession to be entrenched in the new constitution to enable residents to benefit from their resources.

Mwatela said: "Secession has worked elsewhere and I don’t see why the same can not be tried here. We also have the right for self-determination and local politicians are fighting to have it entrenched in the new Constitution".

He also opposed plans to split the province saying it would divide communities.

Separately, Likoni MP Masood Mwahima echoed Mwatela’s sentiments saying an independent region would accelerate development.

"If my colleagues are for the idea of having Coast independent, who am I to oppose!" he said.

He, however, clarified that such independence should not be confused with ethnicity where non-locals would be segregated.

Colleagues are wrong

This is not, however, the position taken by all MPs from the region.

Taveta MP and Special Projects Minister Naomi Shaban said those supporting the idea are unaware of what they seek, since Government has started devolving development funds.

"Resources are now being taken to grassroots and if that is not secession, then what is? My colleagues have got it all wrong, they should first be sure of what they want," she said.

Shaban said there exists a budget office for resource allocation and there was no need to talk about seceding, adding there should be a distinction between national and localised resources like is the case in federal States.

 

 

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