The move to push Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) as a party for the coast region as bargaining chip in national politics is facing resistance as political players say it has no backing.
The party founded by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi in the run up to the 2022 general elections has been campaigning to be the party of choice for the region in the 2027 elections.
The party that has been quiet for some time got a new push after former Cabinet Secretary and legislator Aisha Jumwa hinted at joining PAA and said it is the only political platform that should be promoted to push the coast region agenda.
There have been strong indication that Jumwa who contested the Kilifi governorship in 2022 on the UDA ticket will be seeking her second bid under PAA, a party that is in the Kenya Kwanza alliance.
Political analyst Baha Nguma said the exit of opposition leader the late Raila Odinga after his death has brought political confusion and anxiety in the country and as a result political parties and the whole set up of the broad-based government is now shaken.
“As a result people have started having alternative views and plans. It is also unfortunate that some have used the Raila influence to gain political mileage instead of building their profiles, but there a new political reawakening,” he said.
He said the ground in Kilifi County for instance, is not moving with the PAA story citing a recent event in Msabaha where the people openly rejected it as a party for the region.
“In my view, there is a need for a political identity and this calls for a serious roundtable meeting of the political players to have a homegrown party that will be popularized to have all the six governors elected on it and that party in my view is KADU Asili and not PAA,” he said in an interview with Coco FM.
Lawyer and politician George Kithi who contested the 2022 gubernatorial seat on PAA ticket is also said to be pushing for the recognition of KADU Asili as a coastal party and not his former party.
PAA Secretary General Kenneth Kazungu Tungule has officially welcomed Jumwa who is campaigning to unseat ODM Governor Gideon Mun’garo in the 2027 elections.
However, Mun’garo said he is not bothered by those seeking his seat using political parties that are in the broad based coalition.
Last weekend Kingi said he would invite all political leaders seeking the governorship of Kilifi from parties in the coalition to a meeting to discuss a political arrangement that will not cause a fallout that could cost President William Ruto the votes in 2027.
