Recent events including the demise of the doyen of opposition politics in Kenya and ODM party leader and the just concluded by-elections are changing the political dynamics of the coast region.
ODM has over the years had a cozy relationship with the coast voters with the late Raila Odinga always garnering more presidential votes than any other candidate from 2007.
What is of interest is to see how the broad base arrangement between ODM and UDA will play out in the fielding of candidates in the 2027 elections.
In Mombasa, for instance, there are two key players in the two parties who are eyeing the gubernatorial seat currently occupied by ODM deputy party leader Abdulsamad Shariff Nasir. The other contender is Hassan Omar Sarai, the UDA Secretary General. Omar has started campaigning for the seat.
Could that explain why Nyali MP Mohamed Ali bolted from UDA, becoming a bitter critic of the Kenya Kwanza government headed by President William Ruto. An administration he vigorously campaigned for?
Ali aka Jicho Pevu was in Magarini campaigning for the united opposition candidate alongside Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP-K colleague Eugene Wamalwa.
There is talk that Ali will be the united opposition candidate for the Mombasa governor seat and leaning more towards the Kolanzo’s wiper axis because it will be a very big hurdle to contest for UDA ticket with Omar.
Going by the recent by-elections there was an unofficial rule that parties field candidates according to their strength and following on the ground and that is why UDA did not have a candidate in Magarini. Instead, UDA and PAA leaders joined forces with ODM to campaign for the re-election of Harrison Garama Kombe of ODM.
In Kilifi, former CS and current Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board Aisha Jumwa, who sensationally left ODM and embraced Ruto is now saying she will rally Kilifi to join Pamoja Africa Alliance (PAA).
PAA which is led by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi raised waves in 2022 winning three parliamentary and several MCA seats in Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties.
Jumwa who is eyeing the Kilifi governor seat currently held by ODM’s Gideon Mung’aro, is hinting at joining PAA which is part of the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
Jumwa has kicked off a controversial but serious storm intensifying her call for Coast leaders to unite under the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), citing the party’s growing national influence.
On two occasions in the same week – in Ganze and Kaloleni sub-counties Jumwa confounded both friends and foes when she said time has come for the coast region to rally and identify with one political party to increase the region’s bargaining power at the national level.
She said that PAA offers a renewed chance to restore the long-lost glory of the Coast, urging leaders and residents to rally behind the party’s vision and ideology. According to her, unity is the key to strengthening the region’s political voice and securing meaningful representation on the national stage.
“We have suffered for many years as coastal communities especially those from the Mijikenda. I have no doubt with President William Ruto. He can stand openly and enumerate the projects he has implemented in Kenya. But time has come for the coast region to stand firm.
“For many years we supported Raila Odinga and ODM up to the time of his death. ODM is now in turmoil, should we also join the fray and be part of the conflict in the Orange Party when we can have our own political vehicle. We must have our own party and anyone who wants our support should come through our party. We will have our party and join and support William Ruto,” she said.
A few days after Jumwa’s remarks, some Kilifi leaders among them KIlifi north legislator and Deputy Majority Leader in the National Assembly Owen Baya have downplayed the push to propel PAA to local and national politics.
Baya has been rooting for the re-election of Gideon Mun’garo, ODM, as Kilifi governor in the spirit of broad base coalition saying that the projects earmarked for implementation will be realized through the broad base government.
There is very little political activity in Kwale, Taita Taveta, Tana River and Lamu Counties where the two governors are serving their second terms in office. However, Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana who was elected on ODM ticket is rumoured to be eyeing the senate seat on different party. Godhana has been quoted saying he is forming his own political party.
