Deputy President (DP) William Ruto is among top politicians who have declared interest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the much awaited 2022 general election.
President Kenyatta is serving his last term in office and the DP is expecting him to endorse his 2022 ambition.
As the 2022 succession politics takes shape, DP Ruto is eyeing to control of the Coast region politics that is majorly dominated by opposition.
In the past general elections (2007, 2013 and 2017), the region overwhelmingly voted for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
However, the case might not be the same in 2022 as a section of ODM MPs have warmed up to the ruling party.
Here are Coast politicians who are likely to campaign for DP Ruto’s presidency in 2022:
1. Salim Mvurya
The Kwale Governor is a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP Ruto.
The second term governor quit the opposition and was influential in Jubilee party campaigns at the Coast in the 2017 general election.
Mvurya is likely to spearhead Ruto’s 2022 campaigns in the Coastal region.
The fearless governor boasts of massive influence in a region that is dominated by the Orange party.
2. Aisha Jumwa
The fearless Malindi MP is described as the ‘iron lady’ of Coast politics.
Jumwa was recently expelled from ODM party for allegedly declaring support for Ruto’s 2022 presidential ambition.
The Malindi MP has insisted that her support for Ruto is unstoppable and has even rubbished her expulsion.
Jumwa can help Ruto win Coast votes owing to her influence among youth and women.
3. Gideon Mung’aro
The former Kilifi North MP is a close ally of Ruto ad is expected to be part of his (Ruto) presidential campaigns in 2022 election.
Mung’aro unsuccessfully contested the Kilifi gubernatorial seat in 2017, but was later appointed as Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Lands.
4. Zainab Chidzuga
The former Kwale Woman Representative is a close ally of DP Ruto.
She lost her seat in the 2017 polls and is likely to push for DP Ruto’s presidency in the larger Coastal region
5. Hassan Omar
The former Mombasa Senator lost bid to unseat Governor Hassan Joho in 2017 general election.
After losing bid to unseat governor Joho, Omar quit the Kalonzo Musyoka led Wiper party and joined Jubilee.
The former senator is said to be eyeing the Mombasa governorship in 2022, and there is possibility he could work with DP Ruto.
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