As Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, the Coast Region stands at a defining moment. Our political leaders, communities and citizens must embrace a renewed spirit of unity, purpose and collective responsibility to unlock the region’s immense potential. The time has come to move beyond fragmented politics, personal rivalries, and divisions that have long undermined our ability to speak with one voice on matters of development. Encouragingly, signs show a growing recognition of the need for unity, which must now translate into concrete action.
Across Kenya, other regions have increasingly demonstrated the power of political cohesion, strategic partnerships and coordinated leadership in advancing their development interests. The Coast must equally organise itself around a shared regional agenda, without necessarily sacrificing political competition, diversity of opinion or individual aspirations. Unity does not mean uniformity; it means recognising that our collective interests outweigh our political differences.
Harnessing Coastal Region’s Economic Wealth and Resources
Our region is richly endowed with resources and opportunities. From the blue economy, tourism, agriculture and livestock to mining, energy, maritime transport, trade and logistics, the Coast has enormous potential to drive Kenya’s economic transformation. Yet the development indicators reveal a significant gap between this potential and the prosperity experienced by our people.
Consider the socioeconomic realities. According to KNBS county poverty estimates based on the 2022 household survey, poverty levels stand at approximately 66.7% in Tana River, 53% in Kilifi and 51.1% in Kwale. Even as Mombasa records a lower rate of approximately 27%, these figures demonstrate the persistent inequalities and development challenges across the region. Our priority must be to translate natural resources, infrastructure and economic opportunities into jobs, incomes and improved living standards.
Tourism remains one of our greatest economic assets. Kenya earned approximately KSh 500 billion from tourism in 2025, attracting 2.7 million international visitors and 5.2 million domestic tourists. The Coast, with its magnificent beaches, historical sites, marine parks, cultural heritage, and hospitality industry, should capture a much larger share of these earnings. We must invest in tourism diversification, conference tourism, cruise tourism, sports tourism, cultural heritage and high-value coastal experiences. Our tourism industry should generate more local employment and create stronger opportunities for small businesses and communities.
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Our maritime and logistics potential is equally impressive. The Port of Mombasa handled a record 45.45 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2025, compared with 40.99 million tonnes in 2024, while container traffic reached 2.11 million TEUs. The Port of Lamu, with its first three operational berths and an annual design capacity of 1.2 million TEUs, provides another strategic gateway for regional and international trade. These facilities, alongside the LAPSSET Corridor, offer opportunities for logistics, manufacturing, industrialisation and regional commerce. However, we must ensure that these investments generate meaningful employment and business opportunities for the people of the Coast.
The development of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, covering approximately 3,000 acres, is another transformative opportunity. Its proximity to the Port of Mombasa, the Southern Bypass, the Standard Gauge Railway and Moi International Airport gives it considerable investment potential. The associated Berth One project is valued at approximately KSh 41 billion. We must position Dongo Kundu as a major industrial, manufacturing, maritime and export-processing hub, with deliberate participation of local investors, entrepreneurs and skilled young people.
The blue economy offers another frontier for prosperity. Kenya’s marine fish production reached approximately 48,608 metric tonnes in 2024, valued at about KSh 15.2 billion. Yet our coastline has much greater potential for sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, mariculture, seaweed farming, fish processing, cold-chain infrastructure, marine biotechnology, and ocean-based renewable energy. The blue economy and fisheries subsector contributed approximately 0.7% of national GDP in 2024. We should be ambitious about increasing this contribution through science, research, technology, innovation and private-sector investment. Our coastal communities must become active participants and beneficiaries of this emerging economy.
Social Infrastructure, Leadership, and Accountability
Equally important are the social infrastructure and human development challenges. Despite improvements in healthcare, access to quality and specialised services remains uneven. A 2021 health-facility analysis reported institutional maternal mortality ratios of approximately 198 deaths per 100,000 live births in Mombasa, 145 in Kilifi and 146 in Taita Taveta. These disparities call for stronger investment in maternal and child health, modern diagnostic facilities, medical equipment, specialist services, health research and adequately staffed healthcare institutions. We must also prioritise water security, sanitation, education, technical skills and affordable housing.
We must therefore embrace a new impetus in leadership, anchored in integrity, competence, inclusivity and a clear development agenda. Our political leaders must rise above ethnic, religious and personal differences and demonstrate the courage to work together for the common good. Healthy political competition should be about ideas, policies and the capacity to deliver, not antagonism and division.
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Our diversity is our strength. The Coast is home to different communities, cultures, faiths and traditions that have coexisted for generations. We must nurture tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. No community should feel marginalised, and every citizen must have an equal opportunity to help shape our region’s future. Inclusivity is not merely a moral obligation; it is a foundation for sustainable development.
As we prepare for 2027, voters must be deliberate and discerning. Let us elect representatives with a demonstrable commitment to development, who understand the challenges facing our people and can translate promises into tangible outcomes. We need leaders who champion quality education, healthcare, employment, infrastructure, investment, water security, food security and opportunities for our youth and women. We must demand accountability and measure public leadership by results, not empty talk. Aspirants must show how they will contribute to socioeconomic transformation.
Revitalising Regional Cooperation and Securing Peace
The Coast Region Agenda should be strengthened as a common platform for engagement with the national government, development partners, private investors and other stakeholders. This agenda should align with national transformation priorities articulated by President William Ruto under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the broad-based development approach. Constructive engagement with the national government will help secure greater investment, accelerate ongoing projects and ensure that our region is fully integrated into Kenya’s economic transformation.
In 2013, together with colleagues, we established Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani, an excellent regional cooperation framework. We should revitalise and strengthen this institution as a vehicle for unity of purpose, joint planning, resource mobilisation and socioeconomic transformation across the six coastal counties. Can we do it?
Peace must remain our collective priority throughout the electoral period. Elections should be moments of democratic expression, not occasions for hostility, intimidation or violence. Our political leaders have a special responsibility to promote peaceful campaigns, respect opposing views, and safeguard the unity of our communities. We must never allow political differences to destroy relationships or compromise our future.
Equally important is voter registration. Every eligible citizen should register and participate in determining the leadership and direction of our country. Our democratic strength lies in an informed, engaged and responsible electorate. The Coast region must show zeal in the electoral process and turn out in large numbers.
The 2027 General Election offers the Coast an opportunity to turn a new page. Let us embrace unity of purpose, visionary leadership, tolerance and accountability. Let us transform our diversity into an asset and our resources into prosperity. The race is on; 27th August will be the dividends of what we invested.
The future of the Coast Region will not be secured by division, but by unity, purposeful leadership and collective action. Let us rise together, vote wisely and safeguard peace as we build a prosperous Coast and a united Kenya.
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