Leaders call for formation of a stronger political party in the coast region

Kilifi Kaloleni MP Paul Katana (center) flanked byother leaders at Tsangatsini Primary School. [Maureen Ongala/Standard]

Barely a month after the formation of Umoja Summit Party of Kenya, a leader is calling for a stronger outfit that will promote unity in the region.

Speaking at Tsangatsini Primary School in Kyafungo Ward yesterday, Kaloleni MP Paul Katana said political parties from the region were formed to divide people instead of uniting them.

“Coast region must come together and form one political outfit that will be accepted across the board. We have very many political parties but the region is more divided than ever.

"These parties were formed by few people who had their agenda. This is the right time for us to unite and by 2022, we need to have our own party that will form a coalition with like-minded parties from other regions,” said Katana.

The MP urged leaders to respect one other and accommodate divergent opinions if the region is to forge a common agenda.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, who last week differed with his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho over the new party, assured the region that his ‘Tufe’ movement was still on, and that a party for the region would be unveiled soon.

Kingi said the region has always found itself in the receiving end as political parties take the region for granted. “We have seen our leaders being tossed by parties they have sworn allegiance to just because we are in ‘rented’ political vehicles,” said Kingi.