Public to endorse Coast economic bloc in December

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya

Professionals behind Coast economic integration bloc, Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani, have announced it will be subjected to public endorsement in December.

JKP head of secretariat William Kingi said the professionals were leading the process of developing a blueprint approved by residents of all six counties that is expected to be complete in December .

He said professionals leading the process of developing the economic bloc have insisted on having a firm foundation and public approval of the outfit.

"The reports that Jumuiya is dead are political statements meant to mislead the people of Coast," Dr Kingi said.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya is chairman of JKP while his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho is deputy.

Other key professionals spearheading JKP are Prof Hamad Boga of Taita Taveta University College, Prof Mohamed Rajab and immediate former Tum vice chancellor Prof Jasphat Mwatela.

Mr Kingi denied claims that some governors could have withdrawn support for the economic bloc arguing that county executive committee members have been fully participating in sector committee with the blessing of the county bosses.

According to Mr Kingi, prior agreement that development of the economic bloc, including its blueprint, must be people-driven had caused delay.

Critics of the economic bloc, including Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung'aro, have dismissed the plan as a stillbirth owing to disunity among governors.