A section of women activists from Mombasa County have commended President William Ruto for appointing seven women into the cabinet.
The women under the aegis of the Amkeni coast movement have now appealed to the head of state to consider more appointments in Mombasa County in his next state appointments.
Speaking at a media briefing in Mombasa, the lobby chairlady Farida Rashid regretted that Mombasa County was left out despite its immense contribution to Kenya Kwanza during the August 9 elections.
“We thank the president for giving the coastal region two posts, however, we ask him to consider Mombasa County in the next state appointments because Mombasa is the second city and has immensely contributed to his win in the August 9 general elections,” said Farida.
The lobby says among the key parastatals like Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority should be left for coastal appointments so as to benefit the natives.Farida asked the president in his spirit of bottom up to consider youth and women.
“We campaigned and voted overwhelmingly, we therefore seek a recognition as Mombasa County, we are happy that Salim Mvurya and Ausha Jumwa are in the cabinet, but they still need a pillar in Mombasa for the coast region to reap real benefits,” said Farida.
President William Ruto on Tuesday unveiled his Cabinet. The list contained seven women and 15 men. Former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa was among those appointed to the Cabinet after she was handed Public Service and Gender CS post.
Bizena Salim, another woman movement member said since the 50 cabinet pledge was not reached, she appeals that the region will benefit from the government if he appoints a representative.
Mombasa has a Orange Democratic Movement ODM governor Abdulswamad Nassir who won against UDA’s Hassan Omar in the just concluded general elections. They therefore feel that the president needs a point man to steer the government’s economic plans.
“Mombasa is the epicenter of the government, Mombasa can’t be left blank, we must have someone, and we humbly request the president to put that into consideration by appointing someone from Mombasa in the senior state appointments,” said Bizena.
On her part,Mombasa UDA activist Magrate Ambasa urged President Ruto to create slots for Mombasa Women and youth in various parastatals appointments.
“We as the residents of Mombasa who campaigned and voted for you vehemently,how will we benefit from your government because we don’t expect to benefit through appointments in the county government of Mombasa,”posed Ambasa.