The Bajuni community Kenya has made a declaration to unite and support their candidates to win seats in the general election.
The declaration, which is the first of its kind by the Bajuni Welfare Association, shall reach out to all their community members in the country with a view to unite and have one voice in the political arena.
Bajunis are found in Lamu, Kilifi, Mombasa and other parts of the country, and are known for their expertise in fishing.
They said divisions have cost them a lot in the past and that is why they want to have one candidate vying in each political position.
Apart from the unity drive, Bajunis also want the state to recognise them in the implementation of the Blue Economy project as they are the ones with rich knowledge of the ocean.
Addressing journalists in Malindi to make the declaration dubbed in Swahili as ‘Tamko la Maazimio ya Kibajuni’, they said have resolved for the first time to support all Bajuni political candidates.
Abbas Mohamed, who read the statement on behalf of the association, said all Bajunis will support their own in Kilifi, Lamu and Mombasa
The association will have a mandate to resolve conflicting issues in areas where community members are contesting so as to get one candidate who will be supported by all.
Mohamed said from the declaration, there will be no more divisions among the Bajunis as that has had long term effects to the development of the community.
Mohamed Kussoma said one of the aims of the association is to forge cooperation, unity and cohesion with all the communities in the country and push for the rights of the Bajunis.
He further said Bajunis are all over in the country and once united will be able to push for their agenda.
“All Bajuni children in the country who are seeking political positions we shall stand with them and look for votes from other communities so as to win,” he said.
Famau Mohamed, the interim chairman of the forum, said Bajunis have resolved to come together so as to fight for different positions and asked the government to recognise them.
He said Bajunis have suffered in seeking identity cards, birth certificates and their unity will help push for recognition.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
