Deputy President William Ruto has said he is ready for talks with Coast leaders with a view to forging an alliance ahead of 2022 elections.
This is after the leaders led by Kilifi governor Amason Kingi said they will form their own party to campaign for the top seat.
Already indications are rife that the once famous opposition stronghold could be leaning towards Ruto.
On Tuesday Ruto rode with Coast opposition politicians in a tour of Tana River and Kilifi to assess the flood situation.
During the last general Elections campaigns, Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart Ali Hassan Joho were strong critics of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ruto’s leadership.
But both Kingi and Joho managed to scoop majority votes and seats for Nasa leader Raila Odinga in the region.
Kingi flew in the same chopper with the DP from Mombasa together with Tana River Senator Juma Wario, Garsen MP Ali Hanshaka Wario and Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori.
In another Chopper Was Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, his Chief Administrative Secretary and former Tana River Governor Hussein Dado.
Speaking in Garsen town, Ruto said Coast region should not be taken for a ride and called on the leaders to organize themselves politically for future general elections.
“Coast will not be taken for granted this time, they will not be swayed by Tibim and Tialala, this time coast leaders will sit and consult to know their ambitions, needs and the issues they want in the political arena,’’ he said.
Ruto said this was the first time he was hearing the right language in the coast that politicians were ready to sit down and identify issues affecting them.
Also present was Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana
Kingi told Ruto to prepare himself for a giant political battle in 2022 since the region’s population will not allow again to joy ride in other peoples parties.
The Coast MPs present praised Ruto and pledged to support his presidential bid in 2022.
Joho is the ODM Deputy party leader and still stands firm in the party while the Kilifi governor seems to be focusing on a different direction of forming a regional party.
On his part, Tana River Governor said it was a time the Coast region walked its own political part.
“Other regions should be aware that it will not be easy in 2022 and future polls,’’ he said.
By ALPHONCE GARI
