Kalonzo unveils Coast team to take on Ruto allies in 2027

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The opposition has unveiled a three-member political team to spearhead its campaign at the Coast as rival camps intensify efforts to control the region’s vote ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The team, comprising Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako and former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa, brings together politicians with influence in Mombasa, Taita-Taveta and Kilifi, in what Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka described as the beginning of a broader effort to reclaim the Coast for the opposition.

The move marks a significant shift in the political contest at the Coast, where President William Ruto’s allies have been seeking to consolidate support by bringing together governors, MPs and other leaders under the Kenya Kwanza umbrella.

For the opposition, the three politicians could provide the local political machinery needed to challenge the growing influence of the ruling coalition and prevent the region from becoming a one-sided political bloc.

Mr Musyoka, who was speaking in Kakuyuni, Kilifi County, while receiving Ms Jumwa into the Wiper Patriotic Front, proposed her as the party’s deputy leader.

He said Ms Jumwa’s political experience, combined with the influence of Mr Ali and Mr Mwashako, would strengthen Wiper’s presence at the Coast and help the opposition build a formidable campaign ahead of 2027.

“Ms Jumwa has risen in political leadership from county woman representative, MP and Cabinet Secretary. I now urge you to give me Ms Jumwa to go with her to liberate this country. I will give her the WPF party ticket for the gubernatorial race. I also want her to grow wings in national politics. As the WPF party leader, I propose that she becomes deputy leader at WPF,” Mr Musyoka said.

He declared that the political landscape at the Coast was changing, claiming that Wiper was positioning itself to replace ODM as the dominant opposition political vehicle in the region.

“I hereby declare that the former ODM stronghold now belongs to Wiper,” he said.

Mr Musyoka reminded residents of his long political association with the late ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga and their campaigns across the region for democracy and social justice.

Mr Ali said the three leaders would embark on an aggressive mobilisation campaign covering the entire Coast, from Lamu to Taita-Taveta and Lunga Lunga, in an effort to persuade voters to support Mr Musyoka and the opposition alliance.

“Ms Jumwa and I are Ronaldo and Messi. From Lamu, Taita-Taveta to Lunga Lunga, we will remove this regime from power,” Mr Ali said.

He accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of abandoning leaders who helped it establish a political foothold at the Coast, saying Ms Jumwa’s decision to leave UDA demonstrated growing dissatisfaction among some of the coalition’s former allies.

Mr Mwashako, who is positioning himself to contest the Taita-Taveta gubernatorial seat in 2027, said his continued association with Wiper had come despite pressure to join the government.

He revealed that he had been approached to abandon the opposition and join the Kenya Kwanza administration, including offers of financial support for his gubernatorial campaign.

“I was elected on a Wiper ticket in 2017 and this political party is home. Recently they have been wooing me day and night to join the Broad-Based Government, but I have refused. They have even threatened me, but I stood my ground,” Mr Mwashako said.

He also disclosed that he resigned as chairperson of the Coast Parliamentary Group in January after allegedly being told that retaining the position required him to leave Wiper.

“I even refused their money. I was the chairperson of the Coast Parliamentary Group for three years, but this January I resigned because of the pressure. They told me if I wanted to retain that position, I must defect from Wiper. I decided to resign,” he said.

His revelation offers a glimpse into the political competition taking place behind the scenes as both sides seek to recruit influential Coast politicians ahead of 2027.

Mr Mwashako said the opposition would resist attempts to lure its leaders with government positions or financial incentives.

“Kenya is a democratic country and no one should be forced to join the government,” he said.

The Wundanyi MP said the arrival of Ms Jumwa into Wiper had strengthened the opposition’s position at the Coast, arguing that the trio would now share the responsibility of mobilising voters across the six counties.

“We are now three: me, Ms Jumwa and my brother Mr Ali, who will champion support. We have a lot of work to do to convince our people not to be swayed by money to support the state,” he said.

The formation of the team comes as Kenya Kwanza leaders intensify their own campaign to consolidate the Coast vote.

Mr Ali has already been endorsed by opposition leaders as a possible candidate for the Mombasa governorship, making him one of the most visible opposition figures in the region.

Mr Mwashako acknowledged that more leaders would need to join the opposition for the campaign to gain sufficient momentum.

“We are now three. I am sure more will join us. We have Mr Ali, Shakila Abdalla in Lamu, me in Taita-Taveta and people in Tana River and Kwale. But we must ensure Mr Musyoka wins the presidency in 2027,” he said.

Ms Jumwa urged Coast voters to emulate residents of Ol-Kalou who, she said, accepted government funds and development projects but still voted for an opposition candidate.

She warned that the government would deploy resources and machinery ahead of the 2027 General Election, but urged voters not to be swayed by the “goodies” offered during the campaigns.

She said voters should accept any benefits brought to them but exercise their democratic right independently at the ballot.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.