Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (left) with the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula during a youth and women empowerment drive at Shelly Beach Grounds in Mombasa County.
The Coast region is emerging as a high-stakes battleground as the 2027 General Election draws closer, with political heavyweights jostling to win over the region’s nearly two million registered voters.
National political leaders have set their sights on the six coastal counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Taita Taveta and Lamu where shifting alliances, historical grievances and development promises are shaping the unfolding electoral contest.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the region had approximately 1.96 million registered voters in 2022, a number expected to rise before 2027. Although smaller than voting blocs like Mt Kenya or Rift Valley the Coast’s diversity and urban population make it a prized swing vote region.
Just two weeks after opposition leaders led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka held a series of rallies across the region, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has now set up camp there.
In a bid to consolidate their support base as an alternative to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) which is now aligned with the government, Opposition leaders claimed they have what it takes to lead the country.
The Coast has largely supported ODM and its leader Raila Odinga in previous election cycles.
In 2022, Mr Odinga retained significant support across the region winning over 70 per cent of the presidential vote in Kilifi and Kwale and 57 percent in Mombasa. He also won over 50 percent of the votes in Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta.
His cooperation with President William Ruto under the broad-based government arrangement has since shifted political dynamics with Kenya Kwanza now enjoying the support of the majority of ODM leaders in the region.
In his coast tour, DP Kindiki is being accompanied by top ODM figures including Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir who is also also ODM deputy party leader and a host of other elected leaders.
Reject violence and tribal rhetoric
Addressing residents during a Women and Youth Empowerment rally in Hola on Tuesday, the Prof Kindiki dismissed Mr Gachagua’s recent political jibe that he was merely a submissive assistant, stating that humility and respect for one’s boss are virtues and not weaknesses.
Calling for unity and peace, he urged the youth to reject violence and tribal rhetoric advising them instead to seek dialogue with the government over issues affecting them.
“Our future is not in protests and destruction. If something bothers you, come to us. Talk to us as we are here to listen and act not to fight you,” he said.
CS Joho, whom Coast ODM leaders have been promoting as the region’s spokesperson in government, was candid about the ongoing political shift.
He criticised Mr Gachagua's style of politics and praised the Kenya Kwanza administration for prioritising the Coast’s development agenda unlike past administrations when the region was aligned with the opposition.
“Mr Gachagua can keep counting numbers but in the next election, the few shall become many and they shall carry the day. This will be the end of tribal politics and It’s time to bury ethnic bigotry and build a new Kenya. For once, we (Coast) are in charge of our waters. We are making decisions for ourselves on fisheries, marine trade, and conservation. That is what true devolution is,” he said.
Mombasa Woman Representative Mishi Mboko rallied the region behind President Ruto saying the Coast would be a political battlefield where the opposition would struggle to gain ground.
Political analyst Kauli Mwatela echoed the sentiment noting that such dominance would only materialise if the current political wave is sustained through 2027.
“At the moment, the region can be said to be in government through ODM. It will be difficult for other parties to gain ground,” said Mr Mwatela.
Former Kwale County Assembly Speaker Sammy Ruwa however, cautioned against dismissing opposition parties noting they still enjoy grassroots support in the region.
“I do not think the Coast is locked to ODM. If the opposition leaders organise themselves and engage with local leaders at the grassroots, they can still gain support. I have heard conversations on the ground people who feel excluded from the ruling coalition are warming up to alternatives. It’s all about strategy and vision,” said Mr Ruwa, who is also a lawyer.
During their visit to Tana River County, Prof Kindiki and his team raised more than Sh6 million for an empowerment programme. He delivered Sh4.5 million in Galole Constituency comprising Sh3 million from the President and Sh1.5 million from himself.
Reporting by Stephen Oduor, Philip Muyanga and Valentine Obara
