• Top on the list of their demands is the revival of the coconut value chain.
• Simba said most families have been left destitute after their palm trees succumbed to drought.
Image: ELIAS YAA
The Rabai community in Kilifi county has made a raft of demands to Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
The community claims to have been sidelined under the previous regimes despite producing deputy governors for ten years.
Top on the list of their demands is the revival of the coconut value chain.
A resident Andrew Simba on Wednesday said the coconut value chain is the lifeline of most residents of the subcounty.
Simba said most families have been left destitute after their palm trees succumbed to drought.
“More research is needed so that we can have coconut trees that mature in a short time and produce in plenty. We want an industry that will process products from the coconut tree,” he said.
A toddy factory that was to be constructed in the subcounty has not been actualised due to a land registration glitch.
The factory was to be built through a partnership between the community and the government through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project.
Nzaka Mwatovu said it is shocking that residents now buy coconuts at Sh50.
He said more than 100,000 people who were directly employed in the sector are now jobless.
They include palm wine tappers, coconut sellers and harvesters.
“Rabai people never used to buy coconuts to prepare meals. You would only pick a coconut and use it. We used to sell to others,” he said
He urged the county government to come up with laws that will regulate the buying of coconuts from outside the subcounty.
The residents also demanded a lasting solution to the perennial water problems.
Despite the subcounty being served by both the Mzima springs and the Baricho pipelines, water reticulation has been a big problem for residents.
“The water problem has hindered our productivity because we spend a lot of time waiting for water in shallow wells than fending for our families. We hope Mung’aro will address this problem,” Simba said.
They also called for the mapping and gazettement of all historical sites in the subcounty. Rabai has a rich history, which is yet to be documented.
The community also demanded the establishment of a fire station within the subcounty.
“The nearest fire station is Mariakani. Many schools have fallen to infernos because the county fire engines take time to cover the long distance from Mariakani," Simba said.
Simba also urged Mung'aro's administration to empower the youths to avert the killing of the elderly on witchcraft allegations.
Saumu Julius, another resident called for the equipping of health facilities in the subcounty, saying they have been neglected leaving many to rely on private hospitals which are very expensive.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)