Division among coast leaders is beginning to get the attention of pundits over how the region will package their next political outfit – By Enock Mukoma.
Mohammed Ali, Aisha jumwa, Omar Hassan are among other coastal leaders who are pushing for a new political outfit that is rumored to be registered, awaiting an official launch.
Majority of the proponents of the coast bus have ties with the Tanga tanga movement that supports DP, William Ruto’s quest for the presidency.
ODM Strong hold
Coast region comprising of five counties, Kilifi, Mombasa, Tana River, Taita Taveta and Kwale voted overwhelmgly for ODM leader Raila odinga 2013.
In 2017despite the spirited campaigns by Jubilee party, Raila Odinga still managed to win the coastal vote across the five counties
After the elections deputy president William Ruto has made forays into the region to try and win Raila’s pawns.
In Rutos maneuvers he managed to win support with vocal Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, who has since declared her support for his presidency.
Political Intrigues
Several factors seem to be playing around in the outfit with the latest being the revenue allocation formula where a host of MPs took to the press to denounce their support for the ODM leader, if he supported the one man one shilling formula that would see coast counties lose a chunk of their allocations.
The MPs received a boost with others joining the foray as led by Nyali MP Mohammed Ali alias Jicho pevu.
Other leaders who have voiced the subject include Kilifi North MP Amason Kingi, who has been very vocal on forming an entity that will see one of their own rise to the presidency.
Kingi’s views can as well be seen to be protecting his brother’s interests who has declared to vie for presidency after his term as governor expires in 2022.
This complicates issues as Governor Ali Hassan Joho of Mombasa is also positioning himself as coast kingpin and a possible presidential candidate owing to his position as ODM deputy party leader.
The silent Joho and Kingi intrigues are likely to shape the coastal politics as the Mijikenda and Arab factors likely to feature on who should speak for the coast.
The new oufit if formed is likely to favour Kingi as acoast kingpin.
Kilifi Mombasa gubernatonrial succession
The two counties succession politics are likely to either boost or deal a blow to the formation of a new political outfit.
Gideon Mung’aro, considered to command a sizeable support base, is warming up to Raila Odinga’s support which many believe would add to his chances of succeeding Amason Kingi.
He narrowly lost to the incumbent while vying on Jubilee ticket
His newly found friendship with ODM has pushed other aspirants like Jumwa out as the party is likely to favor him.
In Mombasa Suleiman Shabaal is also up Raila’s sleeves. Something that doesn’t seat pretty with like Ali and former senator Omar Hassan
What would be the selling points for the new outfit?
Proponents of the outfit seem to be keen on a few issues that may benefit the coast if the idea sails.
Political realignments
With Shabaal and Mungaro warming up to ODM the proponents of Coastal unity are likely to have a collective bargaining power if they join the whatever party DP Ruto will contest for presidency
Improved stakes in bargaining for National cake
Proponents maybe in a better position to bargain as a team for positions in National government.
Parliament leadership
Like Aisha Jumwa, Gideon Mung’aro and and pan African MP Madzayo such positions are likely to come with collective bargaining as an outfit.
Those against the outfit have always branded the outfit as tool being used to settle personal political scores with no interests for coastal needs.
As the clock ticks towards 2022 the big question remains will the idea succeed or will Raila bow to pressure from his nemesis or will William Ruto finally convince the coast?
Time will tell.
