Coast residents have urged Parliament to reject plans to dissolve the Coast Development Authority (CDA), arguing that the region needs stronger regional coordination rather than the abolition of an institution responsible for cross-county development.

During public participation hearings in Kilifi on Friday, residents, community organisations and Pwani University representatives called on MPs to reform the authority, strengthen financial oversight and protect ongoing development projects.

The views were presented to the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Development, which is considering the Regional Development Authorities Laws (Repeal) Bill, 2026.

The Bill, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, seeks to repeal the laws establishing six regional development authorities and transfer their assets, rights and obligations to the National Treasury.

However, participants argued that dissolving the CDA could weaken coordination across the six Coast counties — Kilifi, Kwale, Mombasa, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta — particularly in sectors requiring joint planning and investment.

Joseph Tunje, a lecturer at Pwani University, called for reforms that would clarify the authority’s mandate and improve cooperation with county governments.

“What we need to do is to formalise inter-county collaboration, redefine the CDA’s mandate to focus strictly on regional planning, investment facilitation, and coordination, complementing rather than competing with county governments,” Tunje said.

He also called for safeguards to protect public assets, staff, existing development agreements and ongoing community projects.

Participants also cited the need for coordinated marine conservation and fisheries management along the coastline from Kwale to Lamu, arguing that such responsibilities require cooperation beyond individual county boundaries.

Amina Rumba, representing Taita Taveta, said the CDA complemented rather than duplicated county government functions.

“We reject the dissolution of the Coast Development Authority. This Authority is credited with access to clean water across this region. CDA does not conflict with any county government function as the proponents of this Bill argue; it complements their work,” Rumba said.

Residents also raised concerns about the time allowed for public participation, saying communities in Lamu, Tana River and Taita Taveta had limited time and access to information to assess the proposed legislation.

They called for more county-wide public forums and translations of key documents into local languages to enable wider participation.

Ganze MP Kazungu Tungule, who led the committee during the hearing, assured residents that their submissions would be included in the committee’s report to Parliament.

Banissa MP Ahmed Maalim Hassan said legislators representing marginalised areas served by regional development authorities were listening to the concerns raised during the consultations.

Later, the committee visited Malindi Sub-County Hospital, where the CDA has partnered with the Italian government to develop intensive care and high-dependency units. Members also inspected the Mjanaheri–Ngomeni Road project, which is being developed under a similar partnership.

Established under an Act of Parliament in 1990, the Coast Development Authority was mandated to accelerate socio-economic development through planning, coordination and partnerships in implementing integrated development programmes.

Its area of operation covers the six Coast counties, southern Garissa and Kenya’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

The committee’s report will inform Parliament’s consideration of the proposed repeal legislation.