Former Governor John Mruttu has announced plans to form a Coast-based party to champion its
economic growth and political stability.
In a meeting at a Voi hotel at the weekend, the former Taita Taveta Governor
said the party will also raise a third force in Kenya's political scene.
He noted the region has been sidelined for long by politicians from other regions whom he said only seek support for elections.
"Coast region has been sidelined for over 50 years now. It is time to unite for a common course," he said.
"We have blindly followed other political parties yet we gain little from them. Our party will handle residents' welfare."
The more than 2,000 supporters who attended the meeting welcomed Mruttu's idea.
Mruttu, who unsuccessfully defended his position in August, said he will share the idea with other Coast leaders so they can come up with a name.
"The idea has been received well by many regional leaders. We expect their support in making it a success."
The proposition
came amid a secession push by Governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi).
Mruttu said he will not support the call as it will slow the region's economic growth
The former county chief promised the party he will form will ensure
bargaining power in national politics.
"Coast leaders have, in the last five decades, tried to rally communities to join one party but they have differed several times in political ideologies," he noted.
It was proposed that Mruttu serve as the party's interim leader and
former Bura MCA Frumence Mshila as interim chairman.
An executive committee of representatives from the four Taita Taveta constituencies was tasked with registering the party.
Reverend Godfrey Mwanjulu and Fredrick Mule, who unsuccessfully vied for Voi and Taveta parliamentary seats respectively, and Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims deputy secretary general Mohammed Washalla Abdi were among those who attended the meeting.
Washalla said it is the right time for Coast communities to work together and fight historical injustices through their own platform.
He accused Jubilee and NASA of sidelining the region in nominations for the National Assembly, Senate and the East African Legislative Assembly.
"Despite our strong support for the two major political coalitions, nomination slots were been given on the basis of tribes.
We expected to get a nominee for EALA since we border Tanzania and
understand more about East African issues than other communities."
He added they must take after
political legends such as the late Ronald Ngala, Robert Matano, Karisa Maitha, Dawson Mwanyumba, Darius Mbela and Jackson Shako "who purposed to unite the region".