After struggling with limited resources to get fully registered, three Coast-based political parties are planning to form an alliance to stave off competition for the region.
Some senior officials of Shirikisho Party of Kenya (SPK), Kadu Asili and Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) met last weekend at a Mombasa hotel to discuss how they can form a political alliance.
The three parties, which have since their inception lacked the financial muscle as well as popular support in the region may now receive the backing of Coast professionals under the Coast People’s Forum (CPF) to build support for members’ recruitment.
The parties, through CPF, want to take advantage of the elective positions that would be available in the coming General Election under the devolved government to get positions of power at the county and national level.
“We have agreed to work together to benefit the Coast people,” SPK national organising secretary Adam Mbeto told The Standard On Sunday.
Mr Mbeto said there would be a series of meetings involving the parties and CPF to agree on fielding a single candidate each for the positions of governor, senator, MP and county representative.
“We seek to unite first and be strong on the ground before seeking to work with other political parties outside the region,” he said.
However, Ganze MP Francis Baya (Kadu-Asili), who was not invited to the meeting, dismissed attempts to merge the parties as a “hopeless effort”.
He said the leadership of the parties needs to be changed so that they can have serious politicians with financial resources.
“The CPF should also stop leaning on one political side,” Baya said, adding that when it comes to elections, people would definitely go for personalities and not necessarily for a candidate from the SPK or Kadu-Asili just because they are Coast-based.
He said Environment minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere left SPK “leaving it a shell” and has since identified himself with Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s United Republican Party.
However, CPF chairman Emmanuel Nzai was upbeat about the meeting between the three political parties.
“June 2 at Milele Beach Hotel Mombasa marked a historic moment for all Wapwani who believe in the need for a coastal unity of purpose,” Mr Nzai said.
CPF, which seeks to empower the region socially, economically and politically were the convenors of the meeting, whose theme was “Role of professionals in Kenya’s political development”.
Historical injustices
The meeting brought together more than 70 participants with leaders of the three coastal political parties fully represented.
CPF and the parties proposed the consolidation of all ongoing civic engagements into Wapwani Professionals for Devolution (WPD) initiative, which will seek to strengthen Coast-based parties and build support for recruitment of members.
It was argued that Coast political leaders have failed to lead socio-economic development agenda for their people because they are scattered in parties outside the region.
The leaders expressed fears that Coast parties could be left out as other strong political parties form alliances.
They argued that most parties are regionally driven and champion for rights of their people, hence the need for a strong Coast-based political party or parties.
Coast professionals were encouraged to engage in development instead of leaving pertinent issues of the region to politicians.
It was also observed that the depth of historical injustices experienced by the Coast people has escalated to the extent that it may have led to the coming into existence of the Mombasa Republican Council with the slogan “Pwani si Kenya” (Coast is not part of Kenya).
“All major political parties and presidential candidates are aggressively courting the coastal region,” Nzai said, arguing that this is the same process that produces failed leadership for the region.
It was suggested that Kadu Asili and Shirikisho be strengthened and be entrusted with the Coast people.
The forum also agreed to form a strong political platform to push for compensation for historical injustices and secure the future of residents.
Currently, the CPF is working with the leadership of Kadu-Asili and Shirikisho to draw a competitive partnership agreement and officially launch the WPD initiative by end of June. The Social Democratic Party led by Mwandawiro Mghanga is also expected to be roped in.
