Ruto returns to Coast as political battle for region heats up

President William Ruto is set for another tour of the coastal region as he seeks to consolidate support in an area that has traditionally leaned towards the opposition.

The visit is expected to see the President launch and inspect key development projects across several counties, in line with the government’s push to boost infrastructure and economic growth.

On Tuesday, a section of Coast leaders convened a high-level meeting in Nairobi to plan for an upcoming tour of the region by President William Ruto, amid growing political undercurrents ahead of next year's general election.

The Star has established that the President will visit the region from April 29.

At the meeting were UDA secretary general Hassan Omar, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Cabinet secretaries Salim Mvurya (Sports) and Hassan Joho (Mining), Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and his Kilifi counterpart, Governor Gideon Mung’aro.

Nassir, who also serves as the ODM deputy party leader, confirmed to the Star on the phone on Wednesday that the Tuesday meeting was consultative ahead of the visit.

“It was just a consultative meeting on the way forward and how we are going to work together in a broad-based manner to ensure the Coast region also gets development,” Nassir told the Star.

He said the Coast region needs to be strengthened and they were consulting on what needs to be done for this to come to fruition.

“That [the Coast region] is our priority,” Nassir said.

“We are like-minded people. We should put politics aside and work for the people.”

He said there will be another meeting with Coast MPs to identify key priority areas that need to be addressed before 2027.

The meeting, however, came against the backdrop of emerging reports of a push by some Coast politicians to form a regional political party, a move that could reshape the area’s political landscape in the run-up to 2027.

While details of the alleged outfit remain scant, the development has sparked debate among leaders on the region’s political direction.

Sources indicated the Tuesday meeting sought to harmonise both the development agenda for the President’s visit and address simmering political concerns, with leaders keen to present a united front.

The Coast region has in the past played a critical role in national politics, and any shift in its political alignment could have far-reaching implications as the country gears up for the next general election.

The meeting also came at a time there is growing discomfort within the broad-based arrangement, especially over the controversial zoning demand by ODM.

The issue has led to a public spat, with Omar telling off the Orange party over its claim to the coastal region.

Kingi, who has temporarily folded his Pamoja African Alliance Party (PAA) and will not field any candidates, is also backing calls against ring-fencing regions for specific parties.

The bickering has led to tension that has threatened to tear apart the broad-based arrangement.

On Saturday, Nassir met ODM MPs from the Coast at his Nyali residence, where they discussed the broad-based arrangement and how to protect their strongholds.

The planned tour is seen as part of Ruto’s efforts to accelerate infrastructure development and economic growth in the region.

The Coast has historically been a stronghold of former ODM leader Raila Odinga (deceased), with voters in the region consistently backing him in previous elections.

Ruto’s repeated visits are therefore seen as a strategic effort to win over the region ahead of the general election.