Deputy President William Ruto’s camp in Coast is not only for official duties but also, to campaign for 2017 and his 2022 presidential bid.
Indications point to a wider political scheme targeting the two general elections given he is expected to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
DP Ruto, addressing lawyers last week in Kwale, said he needed support, more so from the Coast region, to achieve his ambition.
“Although we come from different political affiliations, when the time comes, I am sure you will support my candidature,” Ruto said.
Analysts believe he is consolidating support for his bid for President.
Ahead of his visit, his allies, legal adviser Ananiah Mwaboza and Kazungu Kambi launched their Mombasa and Kilifi governor bids respectively.
The search for a Coast-based party is in the works and discussions to settle on Kadu-Asili are on.
Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro, a Cord rebel, is reported to have been asked by Jubilee operatives to look for a more ‘acceptable’ party that would push it’s agenda.This was during the Malindi by-election.
He has since denied the claims although, Kadu-Asili chairman Gunga Mwinga has conceded to have received proposals to let the party propagate Jubilee’s interests. He rejected the suggestion.
Speaking in Gede last weekend, the Deputy President told the region, which has more than a million votes, to stick to Jubilee, expressing confidence that they will win because it’s support base is growing.
He cited infrastructure projects in health, education, agriculture and power connectivity as areas the government has invested in Coast.
While Mwaboza, who enjoys the support of the dominant Mijikenda community in Mombasa, intends to vie on the Jubilee ticket, Kambi will face Amason Kingi on the Kadu-Asili ticket should the incumbent win in ODM party primaries.
Two weeks ago, Mining CS Dan Kazungu told Coast residents to forget about forming a regional party saying they should join Jubilee for development.
Ganze MP Peter Shehe has also launched the Federal Democratic Alliance Party in Ganze saying the party will work with Jubilee ahead and after the general election.
In Lamu, Ruto appealed to Governor Issa Timamy, MPs Julius Ndegwa of Lamu West, Athman Shariff of Lamu East and Woman representative Shakilla Abdalla to ditch their parties and join forces with Jubilee. He criticised the opposition saying they are too disorganised to lead the country.