Kilifi governor Amason Kingi and his Mombasa County counterpart Hassan Joho held separate meetings on Saturday, February 20, in what is turning out to be a popularity battle between the two politicians.
Amason Kingi told the Standard said that he would unveil a new party in the Coast in March, and added that he was doing it for the people.
“People everywhere in the region are saying that they want the party. We have resolved that I bring the June deadline for the party forward to March,” said Kingi.
The KIlifi boss held a consultative meeting with Members of County assembly (MCAs) from the coastal region. Meanwhile, Joha held two rallies in Lamu.
The five coastal region governors Joho (Mombasa), Kingi (Kilifi) Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta) Fahim Twaha (Lamu) and Dhadho Godana (Tana River) had agreed to hold joint rallies as from Saturday, February 20, to popularise and push for a common party.
That, however, seems to have taken an early blow with Joho and Kingi, both of whom have been in ODM party for over a decade, appearing to pull in different directions.
In his rallies in Lamu, Joho asked the residents to support him in his bid for presidency, saying that those who did not believe in him are in for a shock. He also took time to popularise the Building Bridges Initiative(BBI).
“Those who think that my presidential ambition is a joke should know that the journey has just begun,” said Joho.
Joho was accompanied by Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, Issa Boy (Kwale), Mombasa’s Mohamed Fakii, Kilifi Woman Rep Gertrude Mbeyu, nominated Senator Christine Zawadi and Mombasa Woman Rep Asha Hussein. The Lamu rally was reportedly organized by former Lamu governor Issa Timamy and Kanu Woman Representative Ruweida Mohammed .
Kingi on the other hand, said that he would reach out to Members of Parliament to have them join him.
“We will ask all the leaders to drop their ambitions for the sake of the region. We will then decide who to work with, and if they will support us for the top seat, or we support them and on what terms,” said Kingi.
Joho and Kingi have both declared interest in the presidential seat. This seems to be causing an early crack that is widening by the day, with Joho insisting that the coastal region is in a better place with ODM. Kingi wants a coastal party.
