MOMBASA, Kenya- Veteran Coast politician and Mijikenda spokesman Chirau Ali Mwakwere on Sunday hosted Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua for consultations with leaders from across the Coast region, where participants raised concerns over what they described as the economic and political marginalisation of the Mijikenda community.
In a statement after the meeting, Gachagua said he had temporarily suspended his ongoing political consultations at his Wamunyoro residence to travel to the Coast for the gathering convened by Mwakwere.
According to Gachagua, the meeting brought together leaders from the Digo, Giriama, Duruma, Rabai, Chonyi, Kauma, Kambe, Jibana and Ribe communities.
The former Deputy President said the leaders expressed concern over the management of key economic assets, including the Port of Mombasa, alleging that local residents had been sidelined in employment and business opportunities.
“Their economic lifeline, the Port of Mombasa, is in the process of being sold to foreigners, top Kenyan political leaders, notorious political brokers and the oligarchy,” Gachagua claimed.
He further said that jobs at the Kenya Ports Authority had been taken by relatives and associates of President William Ruto, while local residents had been excluded from employment opportunities. Gachagua did not provide evidence to support the allegations.
The DCP leader also said that mineral resources, including deposits at Mrima Hills in Kwale County, had been sold to foreign interests without benefiting local communities.
He further revealed that ranches were being grabbed, businesses linked to the Port of Mombasa and state corporations had been concentrated in the hands of one family, and that drug trafficking and enforced disappearances were affecting young people in the region.
Gachagua said the Coast leaders had resolved to work with other regions, including Mt Kenya, Western, Lower Eastern, Kisii and Nyanza, in what he described as a united movement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He thanked Mwakwere, former Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi and former Kinango MP Moses Dzoro for convening the meeting, saying the consultations marked a significant step in building political cooperation between the Coast region and DCP.
The meeting comes as Gachagua continues to court support beyond his Mt Kenya political base through a series of regional consultations aimed at strengthening DCP ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The government has previously rejected allegations of regional discrimination, maintaining that public appointments, development projects and investments at the Port of Mombasa are undertaken in accordance with the law and are intended to benefit all Kenyans.