This archive report was first published on 19 December 2021.
On December 19, 2021, over 10,000 elders from Mombasa County gathered at Sheikh Khalifa Hall in Mombasa town to endorse Raila Odinga's presidential bid.
Representing the six sub-counties of Mombasa County - Mvita, Changamwe, Likoni, Jomvu, Nyali, and Kisauni - the elders unanimously declared their support for Odinga's candidacy, citing his long-standing commitment to the region's interests.
According to the elders, Odinga has been a champion of the Coastal people's rights, and his brainchild, devolution, has helped resolve some of the region's long-standing issues, including marginalization and landlessness.
Responding to the endorsement, Odinga emphasized the unique challenges facing the Coast region and pledged to address them if elected president.
"This is a region blessed with many natural resources, and we want the people of the Coast to benefit from them and build their economy and that of the country," he said.
Other key issues Odinga addressed during the meeting included the need to end corruption, improve healthcare, and promote education and employment opportunities.
"We have the vision, the will, and the solution to this problem. Expectant mothers will no longer have to walk for long distances to bring new life in the world, we have to fix our health sector and the time is now," he said.
Mr. Odinga also emphasized the importance of unity, saying that no country can prosper when its citizens are disunited.
"Unity is what I will continue preaching. We have to live one another regardless of our political differences," he said.
