Just days after the Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir reshuffled his Cabinet, members of the Kamba community are outraged over their exclusion from the appointments, accusing the Governor of reneging on a pre-election pact with them.
Isaac Malila, Patron of the Kamba community, revealed that during the run-up to the hotly contested Mombasa gubernatorial election, the community was promised three County Executive Committee Member (CECM) positions and County Chief Officer roles in exchange for their political support.
Malila said the community did not receive a single top appointment following the election and the recent reshuffle has only deepened their disappointment.
“We are dismayed at the turn of events,” he stated, noting that the Kamba are the second-largest voting bloc in the county after the Mijikenda.
They have now threatened to jump ship ahead of the next general election if the Governor does not heed their call for fair representation in the County Government.
“Come to the table and say what you will do in broad daylight,” he said, disclosing that henceforth, any candidate who wants the community’s support would have to do a legally binding memorandum, not informal deals made in hotels.
He further noted that they were ready to cooperate with the Governor if he explains to the community the rationale behind his appointments.
Evans Mtalii, a Youth Leader, said the Community unanimously agreed to endorse the Governor after the then Wiper Candidate Mike Sonko was disqualified from contesting. He disclosed that the deal was sealed at a Mombasa hotel in the presence of the Wiper Party Leader.
“Today, we are perturbed. You reshuffled your Cabinet, but we didn’t get a single slot. Three years ago, you formed your Cabinet without us and we remained silent, hoping you’d include us in the reshuffle, understanding Mombasa is home to many communities,” he said.
He emphasised that the pact was just for the one term and the community is reconsidering its support for the Governor.
“As youths of the Kamba Community, we will educate our parents not to be humiliated again. Governor, remember our agreement was only for one term,” said Mtalii.
Mr. Jimmy Mutua said the community has been disrespected despite voting overwhelmingly for the Governor. “Abdulswamad, blend well with Kambas or they will pull you down,” Mutua warned.
Christine Joseph, a Women’s Leader, said they wanted to protect the interests of the community youths who may face a bleak future if the current trend was not corrected.
“There is no woman who doesn’t celebrate the success of her son. We are not here for political parties; we are here as a Kamba community. We have shown our loyalty, but he has humiliated us,” stated Ms. Josephine Mwikali, adding that not a single youth from the community was recruited during the recent County Inspectorate hiring.
By Sadik Hassan
