Embattled Kingi tells off his critics, says he won't give up on Coast unity push

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi (left) with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho August 21, 2017. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi says his plans to form a Coast-leaning political party are well on course.

Yesterday, the embattled governor lashed out at politicians he claimed were out to scuttle his bid to unite the region ahead of the 2022 General Election.

Speaking in Mariakani where he opened a maternity hospital on Wednesday, the governor said he will sustain the push for the unity of the Coast people.

“I may fail now because people are fighting me, but the next generation will fulfil my dream. In August next year, people will realise that this was the aspiration of the Coast region,” he said.

Kingi added: “When we say we need a vehicle that will take care of the interest of Coast, we mean it. It is a project that will unite us."

Kingi, who was recently removed from the leadership of the ODM Kilifi County branch, is said to be associated with a new outfit, the Pamoja Africa Alliance.  

However, critics of his idea say he has failed to spell out the agenda.

But his allies said the new party will be launched before the end of next month but will not field a presidential candidate because it will back ODM leader Raila Odinga's State House bid. Kingi said all other regions had settled on a political party for the 2022 election, and that the Coast region will not be left behind. 

“People have abandoned development, and their focus is on the 2022 elections but I will combine development and politics,” he said.

He said Coast leaders had been disrespected because of joining other parties.