Coast leaders meet over regional unity, how to engage Ruto

Former Mombasa Governor Ali Joho speaks after the breakfast meeting convened by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on October 19, 2023. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

Previous attempts to have the Coast rally behind a single outfit have been futile. The meeting comes at a time when politicians from different regions, such as Mt Kenya and Western are pushing for unity in readiness for the 2027 elections.

Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho described the meeting as "successful", saying it was the start of the region's unity journey.

"We will enhance our unity immaterial of political affiliations in what we call the unity of purpose," said Joho, who revealed plans to have all counties formulate agenda items to be presented to the president in formal engagements.

Among the issues the leaders want addressed is the ongoing debate on the privatisation of Mombasa Port, which, seemingly, pooled them together. President Ruto has however pronounced himself on the matter refuting claims of plans to privatise the port saying it is a noble idea to allow private entities to run key facilities which should not be mistaken with privatising the entire port.

Port privatisation

"As we promised during the 2022 General Election campaigns, the Port of Mombasa will not be privatised," said Ruto at the UDA Governing Council convention last month. "What we are looking at is expansion so that we serve countries like Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan. We will do this by involving the private sector so that we can increase the efficiency."

Leaders who attended the Serena meeting said they want to be involved in discussions about other ports, such as Lamu and Shimoni, insisting the region must have a stake.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has been on the forefront opposing the resolution to privatise key facilities of the port, made by Ruto's Cabinet, without the locals' involvement. Nassir stated that the proposal was a clear indication that the Kenya Kwanza government had taken the people of the Coast for a ride.

"We will seek audience with the president to engage constructively so that the coastal people have a say in their affairs," said Joho.

The leaders also discussed land issues, a political hot potato at the coast, and enhancing the blue economy.