Malindi Township Aisha Jumwa's move to directly endorse Deputy President William Ruto presidential bid in 2022 has surprised many ODM supporters.
On Sunday, Jumwa said that William Ruto is the best suited candidate to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.
Jumwa, a close ally of ODM leader Raila Odinga said that there will be no negotiations in 2022 as Ruto will automatically take over from Uhuru.
According to political analyst Peter Ngure , Jumwa's statement is not out of the 'blues' and that her endorsement of DP Ruto reflected the view of most Coast region leaders allied to the opposition.
In an interview on Monday, the Kiambu based analyst said that Coast region feel's wasted by the opposition and wants to chart a new political wave ahead of 2022.
He said that the Coast region that has over the years been supporting the opposition feels alienated and discriminated.
"MP Aisha Jumwa's statement that DP Ruto is the candidate for 2022 is a blow to Raila Odinga and the opposition," he said.
He said that the Coast region is slowly shifting its loyalty might not vote for opposition again in 2022.
The analyst said that it will be a blow to Raila if he contests in 2022.
" I think Raila Odinga has alot of homewotk to do if inddeed he will contest in 2022 because some of the regions considered as his strongholds are sloly slipping away from him," he added.
The analyst however said that it is still too early to start making predictions, adding that major alliance's and partnerships will be witnessed before the 2022 general election.
Majority of Coast regions politicians some allied to opposition have guaranteed their support for DP Ruto im 2022.
Led by Kwale governor Salim Mvurya, the leaders say that the Coast region will stand with Ruto.
A section of ODM MPs led by Kwale Women Representative Zuleikha Juma have however distanced themselves from Aisha Jumwa's statement that endorsed DP Ruto for 2022 terming it personal.
Ruto is expected to fly the Jubilee ticket once President Uhuru Kenyatta's term comes to an end in 2022.
The Deputy President is banking on Mt Kenya support to clinch the top seat.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's meeting with Raila Odinga a week ago is however fueling speculations that DP Ruto' s 2022 bid is not guaranteed.