Deputy President William Ruto could be facing a tough hurdle in the Coast months after several ODM-allied MPs declared support for his 2022 presidential bid.

Do you have a lead on a newsworthy story? Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa!

This is after a section of Coast lawmakers, including those who pleaded allegiance for him, accused President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee government of failing to initiate development projects in the region.

The MPs were led by Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) chairman Suleiman Dori, Msambweni MP and his Kilifi North counterpart Owen Baya, all from Raila Odinga's ODM party, in which Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho is the deputy leader.

Others include; Kassim Tandaza (Matuga), Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Benjamin Tayari (Kinango), Getrude Mbeyu (Kilifi), Said Hiribae (Galole), Ali Mbogo (Kisauni), Stanley Muthama (Lamu West), Jones Mlolwa (Voi), Ibrahim Ahmed (Garsen), Ali Sheriff (Lamu East), and Ali Wario (Bura).

According to the lawmakers, Jubilee administration initiated some projects at the Coast to cripple the region’s economy.

They cited the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) (which begins in Mombasa, through Taita Taveta) and the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor project, saying many people have lost jobs due to the projects.

Baya noted that they will file a petition in Parliament to ensure the projects benefit locals.

"We are going to take this forward and ensue that the Lapsset project benefits the people and that the economy of this region prospers because of the investment we have seen," said Baya.

"We want to see the benefits of the money being invested in our region," he added.

Dori said many transport companies layed off drivers due to cargo SGR.

The lawmakers addressed the press at Voyager Hotel in Mombasa County on Monday.