Governors from the Coast will use the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani to reclaim their key natural resources that are being managed by the national government.

The leaders have resolved to oppose the privatisation of the Mombasa port by the national government.

They said they will work with the National Land Commission to address land problems, including expired leases in the region.

Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani will also push to have a bigger stake in the management of mineral resources at the Coast.

The economic bloc will be used to lobby for the region’s economic interests, said governors Amason Kingi (Kilifi), John Mruttu (Taita Taveta), Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Salim Mvurya (Kwale).

They spoke at Voi Wildlife Lodge on Saturday during a Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani meeting.

Joho said JKP is not a contest between politicians from different parties in the region.

“We shall not allow xenophobic relationships between our counties… Our main aim is to change the lives of our people,” he said.

Joho said JKP will be vital in solving the boundary dispute between Kwale and Taita Taveta counties that has lasted for more than 50 years.

“Our leaders are willing to sit down and come up with an amicable solution to the boundary issue,” he said.

Mvurya, the JKP chairperson, said the challenges facing the Coast cut across all the six counties and the bloc will help solve the problems.

“Historically, our people have been wishing that we speak in one voice. This is the opportunity for us to move forward as a region,” he said.

Source: The Star

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