President William Ruto has intensified efforts to consolidate political support in the Coast region as he seeks to steady his bumpy re-election path.
The development comes amid fierce competition from the opposition ahead of the high-stakes 2027 General Election.
Ruto has embarked on an aggressive charm offensive targeting key political leaders in the region while rolling out multibillion-shilling projects and addressing the emotive land question that has dominated Coast politics for decades.
Ruto is also leveraging his political deal with ODM, the most popular party in the area, to secure the support of influential leaders and rally the region behind him.
The aim is to ward off the opposition’s threat and ring-fence the crucial vote basket.
“What is clear is that, Ruto has consolidated part of ODM, which is the Oburu Odinga-led group headed by CS Hassan Joho. He is also using the network of CS Salim Mvurya, who was a governor,” political observer Maimuna Mwidau said.
The Coast has traditionally been a stronghold of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and ODM. For decades, Raila controlled the politics of the region.
Bigwigs currently backing the President are Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Mining CS Hassan Joho and Sports CS Salim Mvurya.
Others are Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime and Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana.
The leaders joined Ruto during his ongoing five-day development tour of the region, where he paraded them in a show of might to lock the region.
Ruto unveiled a raft of projects and issued 33,000 title deeds to residents from Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River and Taita Taveta counties.
At the centre of the President’s campaign is the promise to resolve the long-standing squatter crisis that has fuelled political discontent at the Coast for years.
Ruto announced that the government had acquired land from absentee landlords to resettle at least 200,000 squatter families.
“Today, we are here to address the challenge of squatters, citizens who live in fear of being evicted. It is a commitment I made and it is a commitment I intend to keep,” Ruto said during a meeting at Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa.
The title deeds issued cover parcels in Kilifi/Weru Ranch, Mwele Simakeni, Msabaha, Ka Dzandani, Wachu Kordentu and the Ronge Juu Registration Unit.
Political analysts say the Coast vote could play a decisive role in the next election, making the region a critical battleground between Ruto and the opposition.
Recent opinion polls indicate a tough race for influence in the region, with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka emerging as the most preferred presidential candidate among residents. He enjoys 30 per cent support.
ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna and President Ruto are also among the leading contenders. Sifuna enjoys 21 per cent support, while Ruto is at 18 per cent.
“The demise of Raila Odinga definitely has had an impact on Ruto’s chances in the region. [As it stands], it is going to be a very tough competition with the opposition,” Mwidau said.
The polls further show ODM remains the most popular party in the region, ahead of Ruto’s UDA.
“The people of the Coast will not be drawn into opposition political fights that do not benefit them. What matters to residents are land ownership, water, schools, markets and economic opportunities,” Joho said.
Kingi said Ruto had demonstrated commitment to solving historical injustices affecting the region.
“The Coast has many challenges, but land ownership remains the biggest,” he said.
Beyond land reforms, Ruto used the tour to unveil major infrastructure and economic projects aimed at boosting the region’s economy.
The President said the government had invested more than Sh5 billion in the blue economy sector, including the construction of five fish landing sites worth Sh820 million, and the purchase of 272 fishing boats in partnership with county governments.
He also announced that the government had secured Sh50 billion for the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, and that the Sh40 billion Vipingo Special Economic Zone project was ongoing.
Ruto unveiled a Sh3 billion Likoni ferry project, modern markets, affordable housing units, water projects and stadiums in Mombasa, Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties.
