NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga at a past event. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Political analyst Kazungu Katana has opined that NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga is still the man to beat in the Coastal region.In an opinion piece published by The Star Newspaper on Sunday, Katana argued that President Uhuru Kenyatta has failed to inspire the Coast region, leaving the former Prime Minister with a huge stake in the region."Since the 2007 General Election, the Coast has overwhelmingly voted for Raila Odinga in the presidential race. Despite losing the presidency thrice in 1997, 2007, and in 2013. Raila remains the favourite presidential candidate in this region," he said.In his own admission, Katana noted that Raila's open support for devolution might have made him a political entity in the Coastal region."By supporting devolution, a mild form of majimbo, Raila became an instant hero, the defender of coastal interests that included majimboism," he stated.He further added that Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho have been instrumental in ensuring Raila enjoys massive support in the Coast region."Behind Raila's successes in Coast politics are men such as Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho. They have every reason to support Raila in life as in death since they have risen up the political ladder, courtesy of Raila and ODM," he added.Raila's ODM party garnered majority seats in Coast region in the just concluded August polls.