The Mijikenda Kaya elders have made a passionate appeal to President William Ruto to fulfill his promise of addressing the squatter issue on the Coast.
They are also urging the President to prioritise employment opportunities for coastal residents, particularly at the Port of Mombasa.
The elders are seeking an audience with the head of state to receive updates on the land acquisition programme he initiated, which was aimed at offering a lasting solution to landlessness in the region.
Speaking after conducting prayers at the Kaya Singwaya shrine in Magarini, the elders said President Ruto had promised to acquire land from absentee landlords to resettle squatters.
Mijikenda Kaya Elders coordinator Tsuma Kombe expressed concern that three years into Ruto's term, the issue of land at the Coast remains unresolved.
“We are asking the President to meet with us so that we can present our concerns as the Mijikenda community. We have more to share with him,” Kombe said.
He added that coastal youth should be considered for employment, especially at the Port of Mombasa, the region’s largest parastatal.
“We are also concerned about the high level of youth unemployment. The Port of Mombasa is performing well and we believe some of our youth should be absorbed,” he said.
He added, “Our request should not be seen as political.”
The Kaya Elders Youth Representative Nguma Charo reminded the President of his 2022 campaign promise to resolve the land issue by acquiring property from absentee landlords and resettling squatters.
“We are worried because our people are still being evicted from land they have called home for years. Many still live in fear of eviction,” Charo said.
Charo said they are ready to travel to meet the President.
“We are ready to travel to Nairobi to see the President. This is the only government that has truly appreciated working with everyone, including the Kaya Elders,” he said.
Kaya Fungo chairman Tayari Mwaringa invited Ruto to visit the Kaya shrines, saying a meeting could be held at Kaya Fungo in Kilifi county.
“We invite him to come here, especially to Kaya Fungo, where we have been holding our prayers. We want to discuss, among other issues, the land problem and youth unemployment,” Mwaringa said.
