Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, an ally of Deputy President William Ruto, declared that she was ready to support Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi for the 2022 presidential elections, if he vied on a coastal formed party.
Jumwa, who was speaking at a funeral in Kavunyalalo area in Malindi Sub County, stated that she would support Kingi if only he left the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
"I am ready to support governor Kingi's presidential ambitions and abandon my current stand. I want to tell him to join us in uniting the Mijikenda community," she stated.
Jumwa vowed that she would rally leaders in the region to support Kingi's bid if he was ready to be on the presidential ballot come 2022.
"He has been saying that we are pushing for a coastal party, yet we endorse the DP, but I want to tell him that we are ready to support him if he abandons ODM," she added.
Some of the Coastal leaders are pushing for such a party, saying that a national party does not consider the needs of the people in the region.
Additionally, they indicated that the party would help the region realise its political, social and economic agenda.
However, other leaders believe that the region needs to rally behind a national party.
“Local leaders should unite and have a clear blueprint for development. It should be a plan supported by all the politicians and residents,” former Foreign Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere stated.
Meanwhile, Jumwa is expected to lead campaigns for an independent candidate believed to have been fronted by the DP for the Msambweni by-elections slated on December 15, 2020.
Feisal Bader has since indicated that he is not a project of the Deputy President.
"I read malice in the ODM party and opted out. I urge my competitors to conduct peaceful campaigns and I am confident that I will carry the day,” he stated.
Bader will battle it out with former Bongwe-Gombato MCA Omar Boga, who is the ODM ticket holder for Msambweni.
