Governor Nassir advocates for equitable development and investment in marginalized regions

This, the Deputy Party Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said, would ensure Kenya’s development trajectory corrects past imbalances.

Speaking during the Annual Fundraising Event for the Malindi Islamic Centre for Orphans in Kilifi County, the Governor reflected on the country’s historical development patterns, pointing to the enduring effects of Sessional Paper No. 10 of 1965, which prioritized investment in selected regions rather than focusing on equitable development for all citizens.

He noted that this policy approach left several parts of the country, including the Coastal region, lagging behind for decades.

The Governor observed that leaders from the Coast had long recognized this challenge. 

He recalled the advocacy by the late Ronald Ngala, who championed the concept of majimbo as a means of ensuring regional equity and self-determination, though he never lived to see those aspirations realized.

According to Nassir, the sustained efforts of the late Raila Odinga and the broader reform movement ultimately delivered devolution through the 2010 Constitution, fundamentally transforming governance and development in Kenya.

He described devolution as a historic game changer that has enabled counties to direct resources to the needs of their people and accelerate development in regions previously overlooked.

“As ODM, we remain committed to carrying forward the vision of our founding leadership by advocating for the economic liberation of our people,” the Governor said.

In this regard, he welcomed the proposed National Infrastructure Fund, describing it as a significant opportunity to drive large-scale investments that can unlock economic potential across the country. However, he emphasized that such national initiatives must prioritize regions that have historically experienced underinvestment.

The Governor noted that the Coast region has critical infrastructure priorities that require urgent national attention, including the modernization of the region’s airport infrastructure to meet global standards and the dualing of the Mombasa–Nairobi transport corridor.

He explained that strengthening these strategic assets would significantly enhance economic activity in Mombasa and the wider Coast region by leveraging the region’s natural advantage as the gateway to East and Central Africa through the Port of Mombasa.

“These investments are not merely regional demands; they are national economic imperatives,” he said, adding that improved logistics infrastructure would unlock trade, create jobs and stimulate growth across multiple sectors.