Despite UDA and ODM's unity in the Government of National Unity, divisions persist among Coast region leaders as UDA seeks to strengthen its position. UDA teams are urging voter registration and fielding candidates in ODM strongholds. ODM vows to fight back to maintain its dominance.
A UDA faction led by Sports Minister Salim Mvurya and Secretary General Hassan Omar is gaining strength on the Coast. Pamoja African Alliance, led by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, and Amani National Coalition have announced they will not field candidates in the 2027 elections and will back UDA instead.
This week, the UDA team camped in Tana River County to promote voter registration and party membership while rallying support for President William Ruto. “We will continue this drive to encourage Coast residents to register in large numbers to ensure William Ruto wins a strong second term. This time we also want more supporters and seats in the Coast region,” Omar said.
On the ODM side, Mining and Blue Economy Minister Hassan Joho and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir have endorsed Ruto for a second term but said other seats, including deputy president, are open to ODM members. “Even after ODM leader Raila Odinga steps aside, we will continue his policies. Opponents should know the party remains strong and will take many seats in the upcoming general election. The only seat we won't contest is the presidency,” Nassir stated.
UDA has placed candidates in ODM bastions like Kilifi, Mombasa, and Tana River. Former Gender Minister Aisha Jumwa is challenging Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, Omar is confronting Nassir in Mombasa, and Hussein Dhado is set to succeed Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana. This has sparked rivalry between Joho and Mvurya over Coast leadership and the deputy president slot.
