Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his criticism of President William Ruto's administration, accusing it of economic exclusion, land dispossession and political marginalisation of communities in the Coast region.
Speaking after meeting leaders of the Mijikenda community, Gachagua said the Coast was "a community in distress" that was seeking solidarity with other regions of the country.
"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 said.
He further alleged that employment opportunities at the port had been monopolised by people linked to the President, claiming that, "All the available jobs have been taken by Mr William Ruto's relatives and kinsmen… to the exclusion of the locals. They are simply being fleeced and suppressed to oblivion."
The former deputy president also raised concerns over the exploitation of the region's natural resources and land rights, saying, "It is sad and painful that their God-given minerals, including the huge mineral deposits at the Mrima Hills, have been sold to foreigners. Zero gains and returns to the locals."
On land issues, he claimed that, "Their ranches are being grabbed through the barrel of the gun, while non-locals are grazing on their land by force under police supervision."
Gachagua further alleged that Coast youth were under threat from drug trafficking and state repression, stating that, "The children who have refused drugs are being branded as criminals and either forcefully disappeared or abducted."
Describing the plight of the region in stark terms, he said, "They cannot breathe. They live like refugees in their own land."
The former deputy president framed the Coast's grievances as part of a wider national movement, saying the Mijikenda community had "vowed to restore their dignity and join the rest of the 55 million Kenyans in liberating our nation, Kenya."
"I have assured them of solidarity from their cousins in Western Kenya, Lower Eastern, Kisii, Nyanza, the Mountain, and the whole country, since we are one people," he said, adding: "Together, we shall prevail."
