Mijikenda Kaya elders have made a heartfelt appeal to President William Ruto, urging him to fulfill his pledge of creating employment opportunities for Coastal residents at the Port of Mombasa.
Speaking at Kaya Singwaya in Magarini Sub County, the elders, led by their coordinator Tsuma Kombe, expressed growing concern over the lack of progress on the president’s promise, which they say would uplift many youth and families struggling with unemployment across the coastal counties.“
The president assured us that the people of the Coast would benefit directly from opportunities at the port, but we are yet to see any meaningful implementation,” said Kombe.
The elders also called for an audience with the Head of State to discuss the persistent land issues that continue to plague the region. They pointed to historical injustices that have left thousands of residents living as squatters, despite decades of calls for land reforms.“The land question is at the heart of the suffering of Coastal communities. We believe a direct engagement with the president could help unlock long-overdue solutions,” Kombe added.
The Kaya elders emphasized that both employment and land rights are crucial to restoring dignity and justice for the region’s indigenous communities. They urged the government to act swiftly, saying the youth are growing impatient and disillusioned.
The appeal from Kaya Singwaya underscores long-standing grievances in the Coast region and the growing demand for tangible action from the national government.