Deputy President William Ruto is suffering from his association with Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, hence his weakening influence at the coast, political analyst Mohammed Hassan has said.
Initially, the DP enjoyed the support of a number of coast politicians, especially in Kilifi, where area governor Amason Kingi, Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Michael Kingi (Magarini) and Gertrude Mbeyu (Woman Rep) appeared in his camp.
However, the same has since faded, with Ruto being seen being welcomed by Nyali MP Mohhamed Ali, who is from Mombasa county, the last time he visited the coast for the Mashujaa Day Celebrations.
Mohammed is of the idea that area politicians are not happy with Ruto's links with Jumwa, whom they consider "overbearing", adding that his attempts to penetrate into the region through her is the reason behind their exit.
“Jumwa’s close ties to Ruto and the DP’s reliance on her to penetrate Kilifi is central to the collapse of Ruto’s network in this region,” he told the Sunday Standard.
He added that the DP might have to change tack of getting hold of the region.
Kwale governor Salim Mvurya has also been missing Ruto's events, but recently sent his deputy Fatuma Achani to an Inua Mama rally in the county.
Inua Mama is a women lobby group associated with Ruto's 2022 presidential bid.