Tourism CS Najib Balala at a past function. [Photo/nation.co.ke]

Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa

Tourism CS Najib Balala has assured Coast leaders and residents allied to the Jubilee Party that President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto will reward the region for their support during the electioneering period. Balala said the region is set to benefit from the government as Uhuru and Ruto will not forget Jubilee supporters who backed their re-election bid once they take their oath of office on Tuesday, next week. This comes amid speculations that the Head of State will appoint former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar who defected from Wiper to Jubilee to his cabinet.Addressing journalists on Monday after the Supreme Court upheld Uhuru’s re-election in the October 26 repeat presidential election, Balala said the President-elect will not sideline the Coast region. “The Coast region will be in President Uhuru’s government,” said Balala, as quoted by The Star.The CS’s remarks come even as a section of Muslim clerics called upon Uhuru not to sideline Coast leaders in key government appointments, arguing that they played an immense role in his quest to retain his seat.Kenya Muslim National Advisory Council (KEMNAC) chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao said Coast residents remained loyal to the Jubilee government despite being in an opposition stronghold. Ngao also cautioned Uhuru against appointing opposition leaders to his government, arguing that such a move will weaken his support base.“Don’t pick opposition leaders for plum jobs. It demoralizes your supporters who are loyal to you,” said Ngao.