Cracks Emerge as Zoning Push Cause Jitters Among Broad Based Coast Leaders

By Mbungu Harrison

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

A section of political leaders from the Coast region has thrown its weight behind President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027 while rejecting calls for political zoning ahead of the polls.

Speaking during a United Democractic Alliance (UDA) party mobilization tour in Mombasa County, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi dismissed the zoning push by ODM saying cooperation plans between the ruling party and his Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) will field candidates in all elective seats including Mvita parliamentary seat.

“Our president has appealed that we be united so that we can mashallah strength to unseat all opposition candidates through UDA or PAA tickets,” he said.

The speaker added that the two parties would jointly field candidates without sidelining each other saying primary party nominations would determine the final flag bearers.

“The UDA party has an agreement with PAA so if a candidate of PAA doesn’t make it, we will support a UDA candidate. We have not disbanded our party. It’s there warming up for 2032.”

UDA secretary general Hassan Omar said efforts were underway to consolidate political support in the region and deliver elective seats for the ruling party.

“We are going to cooperate with Ali Mbogo to ensure governor Nassir is removed from the seat. Nassir has failed and we are going to replace that leadership vacuum,” he said.

The SG said he has instructions from President Ruto to ensure the Coast delivers more political seats in the 2027 general election.

He dismissed claims that the Coast region was a political stronghold for any individual or party.

“This is not a stronghold for any individual, politician or party. It’s the people who can declare their kingpin,” he said adding that the region will be “painted yellow” UDA party colours come next year elections.

For the position of Deputy President, he indicated that UDA has no plans to replace or swoop Kithure Kindiki dealing a major blow to ODM’s push for power-sharing arrangements.

“We have no hatred with anyone, but we can’t remove a professor from deputy president to put someone else.”

The leaders reiterated their support for President Ruto’s second term with Tana River County Senator Danson Mungatana citing development projects in the region as justification.

“The return of port operations is one of the stocks the region has benefited from since Ruto was elected as the president,” he said.

The senator accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of weakening the coastal economy.

“President Kenyatta was killing the coastal economy for taking away port activities to Naivasha. If it were not for President Ruto, the region would continue to suffer,” he said.

He urged Coast residents to unite behind the President.

“We must reject people who think the coast should be taken for granted, as cast people we are calling our people today United and elect Ruto for a second term.”

Lamu Governor and UDA deputy party leader Issa Timamy dismissed zoning narratives maintaining that all aspirants were free to vie and contest any elective seat.

“Those who want to vie for any post, they have a right to do so, there will not be zoning, so those who are saying there should be zoning, this is a day dreaming,” he said.

“Let’s not abandon the president, let’s elect him with a strong majority, let’s vote for six pieces, because we have a strong team.”

Roads board chair Aisha Jumwa cited infrastructure gains as part of the government’s track record while taking a swipe at its critics.

“If Nassir has failed he should go home, he has been tested and failed. If it’s a strong hold, why are they worried? ODM should know that the coast region is not a stronghold of anyone,” she said.

Sports cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the ruling party was focused on strengthening its grassroots support ahead of the elections.

“We are strengthening the party, and that can only be through strengthening grassroots support, and therefore those in the party should not be worried.We are the ruling party,” he said.

The leaders who spoke took a swipe at the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua accusing him and the opposition of lacking a clear agenda for Kenyans.

The mobilisation tour underscored the push by UDA and its allies to consolidate support at the region with leaders insisting that the region remains politically open and firmly aligned with the ruling party ahead of 2027.