Mombasa politician Abdullswamad Nassir yesterday told Transport minister Amos Kimunya to reconstitute the recently appointed board of directors of Kenya Ports Authority. Nassir, the chairman of the Shariff Nassir Foundation, told the minister to disband the board and make fresh appointements because a majoruty of the members are from Central Kenya.

Kamunya's appointed Baramadi Shukri, Khadija Karim, Abdhallah Fadhili, Ian Karanja, Bernard Gaithuma, Eunice Wanja Njeru, Edward Ngige, Joseph Kinyua, Cyrus Njiru, Joseph Waweru, Nduva Muli, Gichiri Ndua and Muthoni Gatere to the board last week. But the appointments kicked up a storm with Fisheries minister Amason Kingi saying Coast MPs had given Kimunya upto yesterday to disband and apppoint more Coast people.

Nassir yesterday said: "How is it possible to have three quarters of the board come from one ethnic group. I wish to remind the minister that the wombs of the mothers of other areas in this country have also given birth to able bodied Kenyans to participate in the directorship of KPA and other government institutions."

Speaking at a prize giving day for Tahadhib Muslim Academy where he was the Chief Guest, Nassir insisted that unless these changes were made locals of all other ethnic groups should join in mass action against the minister's appointments. "We have young, educated and Kenyans who are full of zeal and enthusiasm in serving their country.

Let it not be a surprise as to why locals in Coast Province are calling for cessation. For a long time we have been marginalized as others are marginalized in other areas of this country. It is a shame that even after we promulgated the new constitution, Kimunya has totally gone against the will of Kenyans.". "For a long time we have treaded on the painful road of marginalization.

Let it be known that we shall call for mass action together with other Kenyans of goodwill to stand up against this direct injustice. Our children and grand children shall not be treated as second class citizens as were our forefathers. We took part in building this country and demand a stake in the running of this country's national resources."