A section of Muslim clerics have advised Coast political leaders to decline Mining Secretary Najib Balala’s offer to use his political party as a Coast party.
Balala offered to relinquish his Republic Congress party to be used as a vehicle to push the Coast agenda in national politics for the 2017 general election.
However, the Kenya National Muslim Advisory Council yesterday said the RC party does not have the backing of Coast residents and it would be political suicide to ride on it.
“The party did not produce any elected member in politics here in this region or elsewhere in the country. Balala himself was not elected while running on the ticket. That means Coast residents have rejected him and his party,” said Kemnac chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao.
Addressing journalists in Mombasa, he said Balala should join other political leaders and seek a different party that has the backing of the entire region.
“If they don’t, we will remain in Jubilee until 2017,” Ngao said.
Kemnac provincial secretary general Ibrahim Hussein said it is risky for political leaders to join a party that is individually owned.
He said such a party is likely to later fall victim to manipulation and intimidation by the owner.
“Kenya has a history of individuals running away with parties they registered. ODM-K is an example. We saw different people fight over it,” Hussein said.
He expressed fear that Balala might later change tune and start giving conditions should Coast decide to use his party. However, Balala had earlier made it clear there will be no conditions for him to relinquish his party.
