The Mijikenda community is regrouping to have a major stake in Mombasa politics ahead of the 2017 polls.
According to The Star, leaders from the coastal community have been holding political meetings in Nairobi in a bid to consolidate the largest vote basket in the county.
“We are keen to control Mombasa politics because the county is strategically placed, both politically and economically,” said Kilifi Norths Pascal Maitha.
On his part, Kazungu Kambi said there was need to have a grip on the politics of Mombasa, by electing an influential candidate as deputy governor.
The ACK Mombasa Bishop on his part called for intensive civic education.
"It is very disturbing that we have always been playing second fiddle in Mombasa county's politics, despite our numerical muscles. Poverty has been the order of the day though we hold the key to majority votes,” said Bishop Julius Kalu.
Kambi and Maitha believe that the only route to place the community in a strategic political bargaining position is by fronting a strong candidate to vie for deputy governor in 2017.
The Mijikenda Youth Forum patron Nyonga wa Makemba, however, believes the community has what it takes to nominate a candidate to challenge the incumbent Hassan Joho in 2017.
“We will field a strong challenger from our community to square it out with Hassan Joho,” said Makemba.