DP Ruto woos Coast parties to rival PAA

Deputy President William Ruto is trying to woo the newly formed Ukombozi wa Majimbo, a coalition of three Coast-based national parties, the Star has learnt.

On Tuesday, one of Ruto’s aides contacted Umoja Summit Party of Kenya chairperson Matano Chengo in a bid to set up a meeting on Wednesday.

This was after USPK’s successful National Delegates Conference at the Signature auditorium of Western Heights in Westlands, Nairobi, on Saturday.

The NDC endorsed party leader Walter Mong’are Nyambane as their presidential candidate.

However, Matano told the aide he would consult with the other coalition partners before giving the Ruto team an answer.

“It is true that the Ruto team called me and wanted a meeting. But we are yet to sit down as a coalition to discuss the matter,” Chengo told the Star on phone Thursday.

Ruto is trying to wrest the region from ODM leader Raila Odinga’s strong grip.

The region has traditionally voted for Raila since 1997.

However, on Monday, Kadu Asili officials, met DP Ruto at his Karen residence where Nzai was convinced to drop his gubernatorial aspiration and be Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa’s running mate.

Those in attendance included chairperson Kombora Korokoro and former Kilifi governor aspirant Emmanuel Nzai.

Nzai said on Wednesday they held a follow-up meeting, but this time with the inclusion of Mijikenda Council of Elders from Kilifi and Kwale counties.

“We took them and Kadu Asili as my party, and we have agreed that we are joining Kenya Kwanza. We agreed as a coalition of Kadu Asili, Shirikisho and Umoja Summit,” Nzai said. 

However, USPK’s Chengo and Shirikisho secretary general Adam Mbeto on Thursday denied claims that the Ukombozi wa Majimbo has joined Kenya Kwanza.

Ruto intends to use the outfit to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 9 polls. 

“Our coalition remains the same. We have not held talks with anyone. We are finalising our documents so as to submit them to the Registrar of Political Parties, as Ukombozi wa Majimbo, before the April 9 deadline,” Mbeto said.

“Those guys went there for their own reasons. They were not sent by Ukombozi wa Majimbo,” he said. 

“As far as we are concerned, Ukombozi wa Majimbo is intact and Kadu Asili is a member unless they resign. We have signed agreements,” Mbeto said.

Chengo said Ukombozi wa Majimbo has no relations with Ruto or Kenya Kwanza.

“Our coalition is purely to save devolution structures and has no agreement with any other entity unless and until such time when we enter into discussions and agree on things.”

Chengo and Mbeto said Nzai resigned from Kadu Asili and joined UDA and has no right to speak on behalf of Kadu Asili or Ukombozi wa Majimbo.

“He cannot be in Kadu Asili and be a running mate for a UDA candidate, unless the school he went to is questionable. Nzai must declare his stand: UDA or Kadu Asili,” Chengo said.

However, Raymond Mwakwaya, Nzai’s spokesperson, said he went to UDA as Kadu Asili and not as Ukombozi wa Majimbo.

Mwakwaya also said Nzai had the blessings of Kadu Asili when he joined UDA.

But Mbeto said Aisha Jumwa’s running mate is taking care of his stomach and family and not the interests of the Coast people.

“Maybe there is some milk and eggs from the cows and chicken of Sugoi that they want to drink,” Mbeto said.

He said the Ukombozi wa Majimbo is getting stronger and two more political parties are on the way to joining the coalition.

“They are very independent parties with fresh ideas. They don’t want to be swallowed. They want to be among the alternative force in Kenya,” Mbeto said.

On Tuesday, USPK party leader Nyambane said the Coast region will be among his priorities should he clinch the presidency on August 9.

He said his administration will focus on empowering women and youth.

Nyambane was speaking after he met a section of Kaya elders and was symbolically cleansed by senior Mijikenda women at the Magarini Cultural Centre in Kilifi county.

“Many have given false promises to the people of the Coast. But as you have accepted me as your son, despite being born in Kisii, I will ensure your interests are given priority in my administration,” Nyambane said.

Mijikenda Elders coordinator Tsuma Nzai said they were impressed by Nyambane’s humility, which he said is a virtue of the Mijikenda people.

He said unity of the region is top in the elders’ agenda.

"We sent our mother (USPK secretary general Naomi Cidi) to bring all Coastal parties together and she has done that," Nzai said. 

"We know she has the right people for the Coast region."

Nzai said they will invite Nyambane again for another meeting which will be bigger than Tuesday's.

There is sibling rivalry between the Ukombozi wa Majimbo coalition and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi’s Pamoja African Alliance.

The initial plan by the four Coastal parties was to form a strong coalition so as to strengthen their voice at the bargaining table.

However, PAA broke ranks with the other three and secretly engineered a deal with President Uhuru’s Jubilee Party, much to the chagrin of the other three parties.

The Kingi-led party has since declared support for the Azimio coalition whose presidential candidate is ODM leader Raila Odinga.

That is why Ruto is hell-bent on ensuring he captures the support of the other three parties.

The Coast region has a vote basket of about 2.2 million, which Kingi’s PAA has been trying to consolidate.

(edited by Amol Awuor)