Coastal leaders have voiced their dissatisfaction with President William Ruto's recent nomination of 11 Cabinet Secretaries and an Attorney General, accusing the administration of neglecting the region in the formation of the new government.
Speaking at Mwangala Primary School in Likoni Mombasa County, the leaders called for more inclusive representation, highlighting the absence of coastal figures in the latest appointments.
Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri was among the first to criticize the nominations, expressing disappointment at the lack of coastal representation.
"We have seen the president has nominated 11 cabinet secretaries and an Attorney General. The president said he was looking at a broad-based government. When you look at the 11 nominees, I have not seen even one person from the Coast and therefore we do not agree that there is unity," Khatri stated.
Khatri urged President Ruto to reconsider and include coastal leaders in the new phase of his administration.
"We are asking the president to include some leaders from the coast in his broad-based government," he added.
Khatri also pointed to the qualifications of former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho asking Ruto to consider him for a Cabinet position.
"Looking around, we have one of our own, Hassan Ali Joho. Isn't he enough? Doesn't he have enough experience? Did you see his work when he was Mombasa governor for 10 years?" he questioned, underscoring Joho's decade-long tenure as evidence of capable leadership from the region.
Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki echoed Khatri's sentiments, emphasizing the need for coastal people to assert their rights.
"As the people of the coast, we must fight for our rights. Fight for our land rights because it is time for people to be at the negotiating table," Faki said.
Faki supported the Orange Democratic Movement's (ODM) strategy of dialogue to address national issues.
"I agree with the move by ODM to hold dialogue to solve issues we face as a country," he affirmed.
Likoni Constituency MP Mishi Mboko also joined the chorus of coastal leaders demanding greater inclusion.
Mboko addressing residents during a food distribution programme stressed the importance of the region in the national political landscape and advocated for a fair share of positions.
"Coastal residents must be at the forefront in terms of the division of positions because we've been champions of engaging in conversation to foster peace in Azimio," Mboko asserted.
The country awaits William Ruto’s list of individuals nominated to the remaining Cabinet positions.
