Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir has dismissed the government's move to woo Coast residents to join the newly formed Jubilee Party.
Nassir said it is not necessary for Coast residents to support the national government in a bid to benefit from development projects.
"There is no place in the Constitution that talks about boot licking. We have a right to enjoy development without supporting the national government," Nassir said.
In addition, he said Coast leaders will speak out their minds, even though they are usually accused of tribalism whenever they do so.
"When we speak we are accused of tribalism yet the presidency propagates tribalism to the grass roots," he said.
On his part, Joho accused the national government of deliberately frustrating people from the Coast.
"There are deliberate efforts from Jubilee to ensure the Coast region remains poor," Joho said.
The MP was speaking at the Mombasa Primary School in Old Town on Thursday, during the launch of the Mombasa seven-a-side football pitch which was presided over by Governor Hassan Joho.