Jubilee in charm offensive to woo Coast voters

The Jubilee Party has launched a charm offensive to woo Coastal voters into its fold as it seeks to popularise the presidential bid of its deputy leader Fred Matiang'i.

The party has already set up a regional office in Mombasa city's upmarket Kizingo suburb with branding set to begin soon.

Regional officials have also intensified recruitment of new members and aspirants ahead of the anticipated tour by Matiang’i and other United Opposition leaders.

The party's National Chairman Vincent Kemosi, Deputy Party Leader for Strategy Beatrice Gambo, Mombasa County Chairman Richard Barake, and County Secretary General Nelson Akwaka are among the officials who identified the regional office.

Speaking during a meeting with party aspirants on Wednesday, Barake said Jubilee will field candidates in all elective seats across the country.

“We are waiting for our presidential flag bearer Dr Fred Matiang’i, who has been campaigning in the Kisii region and will soon tour the Coast region. We will paint this town red,” Barake said.

He assured aspirants that party nominations would be free and fair.

“We have assured the aspirants today that Jubilee Party will have candidates in all elective positions. We will not be subjected to zoning, like what happened in the last general election. We will give tickets to the most popular candidates,” he said.

He added that aspirants have been urged to intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts.

“We have now embarked on ensuring that Jubilee has strong numbers in Mombasa and the coast region. We have structures from the county level down to the polling centre,” he said.

Akwaka said the party has more than 5,000 officials across the county, sub-county, ward, and polling station levels.

“Mombasa county Jubilee office is capable and has a formidable structure that will ensure we popularise the party in this region. We are ready,” he said.

He said the party will offer a level playing field for all aspirants. There will be no favouritism or direct party nomination tickets.

Daniel Kitsao, who unsuccessfully vied for the Mombasa governor seat in both 2017 and 2022 elections, said he is ready to popularise the Jubile in Mombasa.

Kitsao expressed confidence that Jubilee will produce the majority of leaders in various elective seats in Mombasa.

“Last election, voter apathy in Mombasa was very high. Only 42 per cent of the voters came out to vote. This time round, we will rally our people to come out and ensure we change the leadership landscape in Mombasa,” Kitsao said.

Mombasa has predominantly been an ODM stronghold since the party was formed two decades ago. In the 2013 General Election, all the county's 30 MCAs were elected on the ODM party ticket.

The figures have since dwindled with the Orange party securing only 23 MCA seats in the 2022 elections. President William Ruto's UDA party won four ward representative seats while Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Party got one seat. Two Mombasa MCAs were elected as independents.

End……

Instant analysis

Jubilee’s renewed push in Mombasa signals a strategic attempt to reclaim relevance in a region long considered an ODM stronghold. By establishing a physical office in Kizingo and activating grassroots structures, the party is laying organisational groundwork ahead of the next general election. The promise of fair nominations appears designed to attract aspirants wary of zoning and internal disputes.