Governor hopefuls chart their own path ahead of 2027 contest

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani. [FILE]

Some Coast ODM leaders are now seeking to chart their own path away from the party amid President William Ruto’s influence.

Ruto’s move has left many leaders who relied on Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho and late Prime Minister Raila Odinga for political survival.

Last weekend, Kwale governor aspirants Prof Hamadi Boga and Lung’anzi Chai, perceived as Joho allies, opted for endorsement by Mijikenda community spokesman and former Cabinet Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere after a daylong consultative meeting in Diani.

Joho, who might focus more on Ruto’s re-election, has already indicated that he could endorse re-election of Governor  Fatuma Achani of the President’s UDA.

In 2022, Joho put his weight behind Boga of ODM for governorship while Lung’anzi vied for the governorship on a Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) ticket. But now some ODM aspirants who were allies of the CS are crafting their own strategies for 2027.

Mwakwere, who is also the Digo spokesman, held the two politicians by the hand and declared the communities in Kwale County wanted them to unite and take up the leadership of the county in 2027. “As Mijikenda spokesman, I endorse you to take up leadership of the county. “You can bring meaningful development, unity and inclusivity and also protect the resources of this county,” said Mwakwere.

Many expect that Boga and Lung’anzi may run on one ticket as governor aspirant and running mate against Kwale governor Ms Fatuma Achani of United Democratic Alliance (UDA), who is President Ruto’s key ally at the Coast.

Sources in the meeting indicated that the late Raila Odinga had held four meetings with Boga and Lung’anzi and urged them to forge a coalition like the one for former President Mwai Kibaki and Raila himself in 2008. “This coalition got the blessings of the late Raila Odinga, who held four meetings with the aspirants, and we also support it,” said a politician who did not want to be named. The supporters said they did not care who goes for the governorship and who becomes deputy in 2027, as their focus is to oust Ms Achani. Lung’anzi and Boga were flanked by their supporters as they consulted on their political deal.

The two politicians plan to share the county government positions equally at a 50-50 ratio after ousting Ms Achani, prioritising their campaign while addressing party issues at a later time.

Their supporters told President Ruto to focus on his campaign and leave the Kwale politics to the local politicians to sort it out even as they opposed the political zoning arrangement in the county. Mr Mwakwere is expected to endorse governor aspirants in Mombasa and Kilifi counties that are like Kwale, dominated by the Mijikenda.

The endorsement happened amid fears that Joho had shown political inclination towards the team led by Sports and Creative Economy CS Mr Salim Mvurya, who has always been firmly behind Ms Achani’s re-election campaign. 

Pwani University lecturer Prof Hassan Mwakimako backed the endorsement of Boga and Lung’anzi, saying it carries more significance than usual political endorsements in rallies.