Joho, Kingi intensify battle for Coast kingship

Governors Amason Kingi (left) and Mombasa’s Hassan Joho at a past event.

In a dash to solidify their political base, governors Hassan Ali Joho of Mombasa and Kilifi's Amason Kingi are barreling across the coast parlaying official function into huge rallies in a show of mighty.

Yesterday Joho declared coast will not play second fiddle in the 2022 presidential contest and asked ODM leader Raila Odinga to pay the Coast region for the years of loyalty to him by backing his candidature.

In Kilifi, Kingi launched a broadside against Coast leaders divided along with the Jubilee's two factions and revealed that he plans to unite all Coast-based parties to form one big outfit.

He said the new party to be launched in June this year will bring together Shirikisho Party, Kenya Africa Democratic Union KADU- Asili and Umoja Summit Party of Kenya (USPK).

"Our strength lies in our unity. If we unite, we will get whatever we need but we continue with the current divisive politics we will remain where we have been since independence," said Kingi.

Kingi said if Coast leaders pushing for a coast-based party were genuine they should strive to merge all the political parties in the region and form one big outfit.

Joho and Kingi have chosen different political paths. Joho insists he will vie for the presidency on an ODM ticket while Kingi is to contest on a yet to be unveiled party.  

Yesterday Joho said it was time for Odinga to pay for the years of loyalty and unwavering support the region had shown in his quest for the top seat.

"We supported them, they should support us, we helped them, they should help us, we gave them, they should give us," said Joho in reference to the region's loyalty to Raila.

Joho was at Uwanja wa Mbuzi in Nyali constituency where he issued 1,000 land title deeds to the locals.

“I have supported Raila Odinga for long and it is my turn now. If they do not know they should know," said Joho who reiterated that he would vie on an ODM ticket.

The Mombasa Governor dismissed as misinformation claims that Coast was a swing region used to fill the vote basket of presidential candidates from certain regions.

“It is high time that we begin a conversation about equality for all, without thinking of negative ethnicity but one Kenya,” Joho said.

He said the hustler vs dynasties politics was putting the nation on a dangerous trajectory that can divide Kenyans.