Coast leaders elections disputed by rebels

Kwale County Women Representative Zainab Chidzuga has dismissed the recent elections of the officials of Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) saying that the group constitutes all Members of Parliament from the coast region without party affiliations and the move to remove Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro as the chair was not procedural.

Speaking in Kwale town after issuing Uwezo Fund cheques to 59 youth groups, Chidzuga said Coast MPs were not adequately notified of the planned elections.

“There was no notice, it was a few individuals who sat somewhere and decided to do the elections without informing all members. We still recognize Mung’aro as the chairman of the Coast Parliamentary Group,” she said.

She said that it the issue was politically instigated.

Chidzuga, Mung’aro (Kilifi North), Mustapha Iddi (Kilifi South) and Khatib Mwashetani (Lungalunga) have been painted as CORD for allegedly working with the Jubilee administration.

The move to eject Mung’aro from CPG was criticized by many as a punishment.

They alleged rebels unsuccessfully campaigned for JAP candidate Philip Charo during the just concluded Malindi by-election.

Chidzuga said they will continue working with the government with or without CPG even as they are labeled as rebels.

“The same way you can’t  mix spoiled mangoes with good ones is the same way you can’t mix us with the others who are just interested in politics, we are the good mangoes, we want development,” she added.

Mung’aro, who ditched CORD for Jubilee, was replaced by Gunga Mwinga (Kaloleni) during the caucus’ election conducted at the Parliament Buildings.