Work with Ruto to end historical injustices, Kaya elders tell Coast leaders

Mijikenda Kaya elders in Kilifi county have urged coastal leaders to work with President William Ruto to address historical injustices in the region.

The elders spoke at Kaya Fungo in Kaloleni on Saturday while thanking the President for making former Kilifi governor Amason Kingi Speaker for Senate, nominating former Kwale governor Salim Mvurya and ex-Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa to the Cabinet.

Jumwa is the first woman from the Giriama community to serve as a Cabinet Secretary since independence.

The Kaya elders said Ruto also kept his promise by ensuring the port services resumed in Mombasa.

Nguma Charo, a youth leader and spokesman of Kaya Fungo said by working with Ruto the leaders will push for the development in the region and ensure residents get title deeds and jobs.

"For example, we can easily end our historical land issues, as we speak in Kisauni there are 556 people who have nowhere to stay after they were evicted by tycoons," he said.

He said the problems of land and unemployment need to be resolved regardless of political affiliations.

However, Charo said that even though port services have been restored they want the President to appoint a local as the KPA managing director.

He asked Kingi, Mvurya, and Jumwa to visit the Kaya elders to receive gifts and blessings after securing top government positions.

Charo Chai,  a Kaya elder said their land is being grabbed so he asked the President to ensure all Kayas get title deeds.

He also tasked Ruto to fulfill his promise of buying 1 million acres of land to settle squatters to address the land issue in the region.

As Kaya elders we are suffering because we have nothing to eat, you promised to support us so we urge you to come in person don't send a representative, come and see how we are suffering at Kaya Fungo," he said

Kaya Fungo secretary Silas Karisa said President Ruto should address the issue of Kayas ownership documents as they are afraid their sacred places will continue to be grabbed if they have no title deeds.

"We appeal to the Ministry of Culture to come and hear the plight of elders and find ways of helping them because whenever they pray rains fall and the nation gets a good harvest," he said.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)