Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya says powerful forces fighting newly launched Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP)

Governor Salim Mvurya and Senator Boy Juma Boy have said powerful interests are trying to fight the newly launched Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP).

The two leaders said JKP's opponents fear its potential to revolutionise the coastal economy which could render them politically irrelevant.

JKP was formed in December last year to foster economic integration of the coastal counties and has support of the region's six governors who have signed agreements with universities in their areas to lend their expertise in its implementation.

Without mentioning names, Mvurya who is also JKP's chairman, further alleged there are people jealous of his position in the new entity and in the Council of Governors.

The governor was speaking at Gazi on Sunday during an award giving ceremony for top KCPE performers from Msambweni constituency.

Mr Mvurya said some leaders do not want to see JKP succeed because they fear being thrown into political oblivion if they refuse to support it.

"I ask you all to support this initiative that continues to elicit political heat even though this is not part of our agenda," he said.

No politics

Mvurya reiterated that JKP is not a political party meant to "fight" anyone but one that is "only interested in this region's economic development".

In a separate interview with The Standard, senator Juma Boy said JKP's push for formation of a development bank that will finance large scale infrastructure projects should not be frowned upon.

"We know banks that were started in central region. Why then shouldn't we also start our own financial institution that will, among other things, give loans to our people?" He asked.

The senator said some fear the unity of coastal counties because it will make them a strong, independent, economic powerhouse.

Since its inception last year, Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani has made progress and is well on its way to form the first ever Pwani Development Bank and Pwani Tourism Development Board.

FROM LEFT: Governors Hassan Ali Joho (Mombasa County), Salim Mvurya (Kwale County) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi County) when they signed MoUs with universities early this years. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

Once fully operational, JKP will set up a commonwealth to look into the coastal counties social, economic and political well-being.

It will also have a Secretariat serving as the focal point of all its operations.

There will be a bimonthly rotational Assembly of its leaders who will include governors, senators, MPs and women reps, majority and minority county assembly leaders.

Others will be leaders drawn from youths, women, religious leaders, kayas, private sector players and people living with disabilities.