CIDI: Coast agenda for 2022 and beyond

If someone was to ask me what “the Coast agenda” is for the year 2022 and beyond, my answer would be simple: “We seek to end up on the winning team of the 2022 General Election and to be recognised as having made a great contribution to the victory”.

It is really that simple. But let me explain this a little more.

First of all, let me say those of us who are indigenous to the Coast region have always believed that devolution was the best structure of government for this country.

Led by Ronald Ngala, the most prominent politician in the Coast in the 1960s, we fought for devolution right from Independence.

In the end, those who fought for devolution, which we then termed as the “majimbo” form of government, were defeated by those who fought for a strong central government instead of having power and resources dispersed to regions.

In time, the wisdom of Ronald Ngala was revealed as it became apparent that a strong central government was doomed to degenerate into authoritarianism.

So, the rest of the country joined us in promulgating the 2010 Constitution, which brought with it devolution or “ugatuzi” in Kiswahili.

But ever since devolution became part of the law of our land, those of us who had for decades believed in it have been disappointed.

While devolution allows for certain aspects of our coastal development agenda to be pursued, it leaves out so many crucial issues.

So our agenda beyond the 2022 election has now greatly expanded.

Included on our priority list is that Pwani must be in the next government.

We have been in the opposition for far too long and have seen that even in the face of devolution, being in government is what brings in the real desired development and empowerment of the people.

Second is that we endeavour to speak with one voice, and we have our own irreducible minimums, which we intend to use as the Coast agenda items in negotiations with the government in formation, of which we will be an intrinsic part.

Being in the opposition is not an option for us.

Additionally, we would note that so far all past governments have been disrespectful to Pwani on the emotive land question.

We continue to be the most marginalised in issues of land, and even after the land reforms that President Kenyatta has attempted to implement.

Our land injustices are historical and current. It is only in Pwani that communities continue to be displaced from their land under the watch of the police.

Title deeds get issued in Nairobi on land that the indigenous have lived for years taken away from them.

The land where their great grandfathers are buried and the graves of their parents are still visible.

These titles are then used to access loans from banks and used to develop other regions of the country, denying us the much-needed development year in year out.

In practical economic empowerment, we shall demand reforms in our agricultural sectors, education sector and demand the revival of our failed milk processing industry, the animal husbandry sector, the cashew-nut industry, and the coconut industry. The list will be long.

We will also demand government jobs, from Cabinet secretaries to principal secretaries, to chairpersons and CEOs of parastatals and positions in commissions in all sectors and diplomatic appointments.

We are not short of men and women of all ages that hold papers and professional certificates to hold any position in this country, including that of President or Deputy President.

Finally, we do not feel respected when it comes to our cultural beliefs.

Our Kaya elders get arm twisted to endorse undeserving political leaders to be elders. This has to end, and our Kaya elders have to be respected.

As I said, the list will be long but this really is what politics is about — regional political interests coalescing together and negotiating on who is to get what.

Even in advanced economies such as Germany, that is what is already going on behind the scenes.

Following the recent election for the German Parliament, the Bundestag, there is now intense negotiation, which will lead to the formation of a new government.

Much the same thing happens in Kenya. But thus far, the people of the Coast have been left out when this stage of the election has been reached.

We have only been left with the crumbs that fall from under the table of others.

We do not get to make clear demands such as Central Kenya is making at this very time, for example, specifying their coffee growers, tea growers, milk suppliers and others.

This time, we are determined to be taken seriously. We are still consulting far and wide. Being in the opposition is not an option.

KOMATSI MULUNGU DZULU...simply praying to our ancestors and God above.

Naomi Cidi is the secretary general of Umoja Summit Party