Leaders from the coast region have endorsed Opposition Leader Raila Odinga to vie in the 2027 presidential elections.
Mombasa County Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir and Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung’aro among other coastal leaders on Thursday endorsed Odinga’s candidature in the forthcoming 2027 presidential elections.
Speaking at Ukunda during the ongoing ODM party membership recruitment exercise, the two leaders urged coastal residents to give Odinga another unwavering support in his sixth attempt to State House.
They pointed out that the ODM party leader has the potential to change Kenya’s depressed economy, which they claim is not doing well since the Kenya Kwanza came into power.
“I have seen the news headlines ‘Raila hints at the presidency for 2027’, I know you have not made me the ODM spokesperson, I speak for the people of Mombasa, the coast, and Kenyans,” Sheriff said.
He added, “We are not speaking, we are not requesting or pleading, we the people of Kenya are commanding you to vie for presidency in 2027. You must be on the ballot in 2027.”
While condemning Ruto for deliberately subjecting electorates to endless suffering, Sheriff stated that Odinga is the president Kenyans need due to his patriotism and dedication to democracy.
” We have not seen anyone who has been able to put aside his own ambitions and prioritise the needs of Kenyans. If there is someone who should be prayed for, it is Odinga, ” he observed.
Raila Odinga on his part told the coast leaders to refrain from 2027 succession politics terming it premature and vowed to comment on the same in future days.
This endorsement of Odinga by coast leaders comes amid bafflement in the Azimio Coalition following Kalonzo’s recent declaration that he must be in the race to State House in 2027, saying that if he failed to do so it would be the very last bullet to end his presidential ambition.
Kalonzo is optimistic about getting overwhelming support from other Azimio La Umoja co-principals, including Odinga.
“Giving up my presidential ambitions will mean I go home. We are at the tail-end of a process that should deliver this country. Azimio will give Ruto a strong candidate this time around, ” Kalonzo said in an interview.
Discussion about this post