Stop political bickering and work, Ruto man tells Coast leaders

A key President William Ruto ally has hit out at fellow coastal leaders, saying they are obsessed with verbal wars at the expense of development.

Karisa Nzai, Ruto’s adviser on political affairs, said on Monday those engaging in verbal wars are only demeaning themselves, attracting disrespect from residents and employers.

“Insulting your fellow leader is not a virtue. It is a vice that takes away instead of adding value,” he said.

Nzai spoke in Kadzandani, Nyali subcounty, during an empowerment forum for single mothers and elderly women.

He said time has come for all to learn to respect those in positions of authority.

Azimio leaders at the Coast have been bashing President Ruto’s regime, criticising the affordable housing programme and his insistence on the housing levy, which the courts have declared unconstitutional.

On the other hand, there has been infighting in UDA, especially in Mombasa county.

Nzai said Coast leaders, both in Kenya Kwanza and Azimio, should work towards improving the lives of their people and not fighting each other in public.

“There are better ways of communicating, even if there are differences. Not engaging in verbal wars in the media. Let’s change tactics,” he said.

His sentiments came barely two days after UDA vice chairperson and EALA MP Hassan Omar appeared to be changing tact and calling for unity of leaders from the region.

On Saturday, during the opening of Neema Mosque in Likoni subcounty, Mombasa, the legislator said, “For some, who will want to come with us from ODM so we can build one Kenya, we will know how we will work together.”

He said UDA has no grudges with anyone and is ready to work with all leaders for the benefit of Coast region and Kenya at large.

“All these are my brothers. The likes of Badi (Twalib, Jomvu MP), Mwinyi (Omar, Changamwe MP), Mishi (Mboko, Likoni MP), Bedzimba (Rashid, Kisauni MP), Machele (Mohamed, Mvita MP), Mohamed Faki are all our people,” Omar said.

He said they have only been differing on ideologies but will always come back together as brothers.

“Even (former Mombasa Governor Hassan) Joho, I have always invited him to UDA and I know why. People wanted to attack them in their business. We have no problem with their businesses, we had problems with their politics,” Omar said.

He said it is not right to fight your own brother because of political differences and that when push comes to shove, they might work with Joho.

“And when our interests align, we will work together because that enemy is bigger and more powerful than us. No more sitting outside the tent. All must be in the tent,” Omar said.

However, Gusii youth spokesperson at the Coast Evans Momanyi, who is eyeing the UDA Mombasa county organising secretary position, said for there to be unity, there must be inclusivity.

Momanyi said some leaders at the Coast are discriminating against other leaders based on religion, tribe and colour.

“Look at the government appointments from the Coast. Some leaders fronted and pushed for their own relatives, friends and cronies to be appointed," he said.

“Now, they are poaching people from other parties to work with them in the name of brotherhood, while sidelining those who stood with Kenya Kwanza all along.”

Momanyi said the divide and rule tactic, which was used in West Africa by the French to divide Africans, is being replicated at the Coast by some powerful UDA henchmen.

He said there are hurdles placed by the henchmen so they elbow out grassroots leaders from accessing the President.

However, Nzai said political bickering will only derail President Ruto’s plans for the Coast region and called for dialogue between warring leaders.

He said the government has well-meaning programmes that will see women and youth groups benefit.

“For instance, there is the Hustler Fund. But many still don’t know how to access these funds. So, all officers involved with the Hustler Fund, go to the grassroots and start educating these women on how to access these funds,” Nzai said.

Saccos are another avenue where women can get financial help and leaders should help women get this information, which will help them access the funds.

He said not all women will be employed, but some have business acumen, which they can use to develop themselves.

“They just need a little empowerment to achieve their full potential. And that is why I'm determined to ensure these women get empowered,” Nzai said.

He said women do not have information on some of the basic things that will help them in life.

Nzai said there is need to organise a meeting of all leaders from the Coast region who have been employed by the Kenya Kwanza regime to find ways to help residents.

“After we have been employed by President Ruto’s administration, are we accountable to the people we are supposed to serve? We must work for the people of the Coast so they can see and feel the benefits of Ruto’s presidency,” Nzai said.