Leaders and residents from minority communities in the Coast region have commended President William Ruto for championing equal opportunities through the nomination of Dr Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy, a member of the Vumba community in Kwale County, as Chairperson of the National Land Commission (NLC).
The appointment has been described as a landmark move that demonstrates the President’s commitment to integrating historically marginalised groups into national leadership and development processes.
Hilal Mohamed Kassim, a community leader, said that since Kenya’s independence in 1963, minority communities such as the Vumba, Masi and Shirazi have rarely featured in key national roles across four presidencies. He credited President Ruto with changing this trend through deliberate inclusion.
“For the first time, we see a president who is walking the talk on inclusion. By nominating Dr Alawy from our small Vumba community in Wasini to lead the NLC, which handles land issues for the entire country, the President has shown that every community, no matter how small, matters in nation-building,” Kassim said.
He expressed gratitude for what he termed divine favour extended to the community through the Head of State’s actions and affirmed that the nomination has brought immense joy and pride to the Vumba people.
Community members also highlighted several development interventions in the region as further proof of the President’s focus on marginalised areas. These include the commissioning of electricity projects in Wasini Island, ongoing rehabilitation of roads connecting Kanana to Shimoni and Kanana to Majoreni, and initiatives to establish at least one secondary school in each village to improve access to education.
Allawy Abzein, representing the community, described the nomination as a historic milestone for the Vumba people.
“We are grateful to the President for elevating one of our own to such a national position. This fulfils his promise to uplift minority communities and ensure they participate fully in the country’s progress,” Abzein said.
He praised Dr Alawy’s credentials, pointing to his prior service as an agricultural extension officer in Faza, his deep understanding of land issues in the Coast region drawn from lived experience, and his expertise in agriculture and land administration.
“We are confident that Dr Alawy is the right person for this role. He will serve all Kenyans diligently and bring positive change to land governance,” Abzein added.
Mwantumu Siasa Mohammed, a resident of Vanga, said the appointment would help tackle persistent challenges faced by the community, especially in land matters.
Sharif Hassan, another resident from Vanga, recounted how representatives of minority groups, including the Vumba, Makonde, Shirazi, Haya and Ata, had presented their concerns at Bomas. He noted that within less than four months, they were invited to the State House for direct dialogue with the President.
“We were surprised by how quickly the President responded. This shows we have a listening leader who acts decisively, as evidenced by the nomination of Dr Saggaf Alawy to chair the NLC,” Hassan said.
by Sitati Reagan
