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THE STANDARD
POLITICS
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, who has been spearheading the unity talks and the clamour for a Coast political party accused MPs of frustrating his efforts. [File, Standard]
With unity talks on the brink of collapse, the Coast Region is perhaps coming full circle, with its leadership repeating the errors that have for decades hindered the desired political unity.
It has emerged that traditional turf wars, mistrust or selfishness among Coast leaders and the influence of upcountry votes have impeded the region’s quest to unite ahead of next year’s elections.
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, who has been spearheading the unity talks and the clamour for a Coast political party or coalition, appears to have thrown in the towel, accusing MPs of frustrating his efforts.
THE STANDARD
POLITICS
Coast governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Amason Kingi (Kilifi) and Salim Mvurya (Kwale) during a past event last month. The three are spearheading unity talks for the region. [Courtesy]
There is a fresh glimmer of hope for the elusive Coast unity after Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya agreed to revive talks between fringe political parties in the region.
Mvurya has now joined hands with his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi and Mombasa’s Hassan Joho in a bid to establish a political vehicle that would assist them to negotiate with other parties. This is even as his two counterparts who are eying the presidency in 2022 try to consolidate support from the region.
THE STANDARD
POLITICS
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi at a past function in Mtwapa, Kilifi. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi’s bid to establish a new political outfit at the Coast appeared to have hit a brick wall yesterday after officials of three fringe parties refused to collapse their outfits.
After two-day negotiations, the officials rejected Mr Kingi’s proposal for a merger, insisting that they were only open to talks of forming a coalition.
The officials, who met at Mnarani Club in Kilifi, said they did not want to find themselves in a situation similar to what United Republican Party (URP) and other parties found themselves in after they folded up to join Jubilee.