Members of Parliament from the Coastal region have
threatened to ditch National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga
expressing frustration from the opposition party after the region was sidelined
during the nominations to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Speaking in Gazi village, the Chair of the Coast
Parliamentary Group, Suleiman Dori apologized to residents for misleading them
to supporting NASA citing failure to be honored despite providing massive
political support.
“We are 27 Coast MPs elected in the NASA coalition, we are
leading in numbers followed by Nyanza but it is shocking that when reaping some
people go alone in the night.”
“Next time we are going to lead you where there will be
benefits for all of us and that’s why, as the Chair of Coast Parliamentary
Group, I am apologizing for leading you into darkness.
“Our importance in the coalition is not recognized, Raila
Odinga should stand with the truth and with the people of Coast. In the two
houses of parliament, only three communities have been represented in the
coalition leadership but Mijikenda have been left out,” the Msambweni MP
conveyed.
He added that the region had been overlooked in terms of
development projects adding that the residents had suffered for years because
of land injustices.
“We have seen MCAs in Kiambu have passed a motion requiring
that 70% of employees must come from that County, we are asking our MCAs to
also pass a motion requiring the residents to benefit with 50% of our minerals
and resources,” Mr Dori added.
He was accompanied by MPs Peter Katana (Kaloleni), Ali Mbogo
(Kisauni), Benjamin Tayari (Kinango) and Kassim Tandaza (Matuga).
Meanwhile, Mr Odinga is expected to inaugurate the coast
region people’s assembly on Sunday afternoon.
