A women led lobby group Amkeni Coast Movement has come to the defense of former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa following her appointment to Cabinet.
Jumwa has been on the receiving end especially from Azimio-allied legislators with Nairobi senator and ODM Secretary General recently terming her appointment as ‘a big joke.’
While naming his proposed cabinet towards the end of September, President William Ruto handed Jumwa the Public Service and Gender CS post.
Before her appointment, Jumwa was facing a murder charge and a Sh19 million graft case both of which he was arraigned in court for.
However, the Director of Public Prosecution on Wednesday morning withdrew the Sh19 million graft case.
The former Malindi legislator unsuccessfully vied for the Kilifi governor seat in the recent August 8 general election on a UDA party ticket allied to the president.
Political pundits view her appointment as a reward for standing with the president.
Led by Farida Rashid, the group asked politicians who have issues with Jumwa to leave her alone and respect coastal people.
“Her political detractors should leave her alone, yes she is facing charges in court but she is innocent until proven guilty. Let them allow the court process to proceed on, they can’t be judge and jury at the same time” said Rashid.
Rashid said that coast women will stand with her adding that her appointment was God-given and no one could refute that.
“President Ruto in his wisdom nominated her to cabinet because she is competent, it is God given, we know Jumwa very well and we are sure she can deliver,” Rashid said.
She also hailed the president for keeping his promise to the coastal people after appointing Jumwa to cabinet and also handing former Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi the senate speaker seat.
Rashid expressed optimism that more appointments for the coastal people were going to come as interviews for principal secretaries for various ministries continue.
Margaret Ambasa lashed out at those speaking about matters before the judiciary on political podiums saying that they were disrespecting the constitution.
“It is a pity that an elected leader is speaking about a matter already in court, the time for politics is over, the focus should be about serving Kenyans,” said Ambasa.
She called on coast leaders to unite and defend one of their own to ensure that the region is not left behind from the government of the day.
“This is the time we need to unite as coastal people and work with the government of the day, our youth are jobless and hopeless with many languishing in drugs, let us unite and help them,” she said.
Professor Mote, an elder from Kisauni Sub-county called on Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to appoint an all-inclusive cabinet to portray the face of Mombasa.