MPs from Coast region on Tuesday clashed following revelations by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho that he was prepared to deal with Deputy President William Ruto.
Owen Baya (Kilifi North) and Getrude Mbeyu (Kilifi Woman Representative) sharply differed with Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi over Joho's plan as well as Ruto's capacity to garner votes from Coast during the 2022 general election.
Whereas Baya and Mbeyu came to the rescue of the DP, Mwinyi defended Joho saying the only prospective candidate that residents from Coast will back in 2022 was Joho.
Joho on Monday told off Ruto who has been frequenting Coast region launching development projects and luring leaders from the region to his side as the race for 2022 politics kicks off.
Among MPs from the opposition NASA who Ruto has successfully lured to his camp include Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) and Kisauni's Ali Mbogo.
"Instead of championing for development in Coast and taking advantage of the recent handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga to bring development, he is busy fighting the deputy president," Baya said.
"Ruto is the only leader we know has declared interest for the 2022 presidency, so why should we support him (Joho) if his party has not yet picked him as presidential candidate?"
Mbeyu on her part said no one will dictate on who Coast residents will back in 2022 telling Joho to focus at developing Mombasa.
But Mwinyi in response said Coast MPs backing Ruto are only out to make money.
"They are making money, and they know he will not become president," Mwinyi said.
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