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Recent appointments of various managers to head institutions that are maritime and blue economy-based, have sparked fury from a section of Coast senators, who are now threatening litigation to compel the government to revoke them on account of “an illegality” and “ethnic bias.”

Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo and his Mombasa counterpart Mohammed Faki accused the government of fanning tribalism through unconstitutional appointments, they said, have a clear bias against the coastal communities.

Of particular concern are the appointments of Kenya Fisheries Services Director General, Daniel Ndung’u Mungai, his Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) counterpart Mutegi Njue, and Bandari Maritime Academy Chief Executive Officer Francis Muraya among other key positions.

“We the members of parliament from the Coast region are not happy with these appointments because they have tribal inclination and they do not in any way reflect regional balance as required by the law of the land,” Senator Madzayo said while addressing the press at Mama Ngina water front in Mombasa.

According to the senators, for such bodies to operate efficiently, they must be led by managers who have a wealth of knowledge and experience on Marine and maritime affairs.

They pointed out that the Coast region is endowed with people with such qualities yet they have always been sidelined over the years.