Deputy President Kithure Kindiki visited Kenya's Coast region and faced political rivalry between UDA and ODM figures eyeing his position ahead of future elections. He called on residents to re-elect President William Ruto and announced Pamoja African Alliance's merger with UDA.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki returned to Kenya's Coast region, encountering tensions between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politicians competing for his deputy presidency in upcoming polls. Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, who covets the role, has been rallying Coast leaders to back him ahead of UDA-ODM talks, though UDA allies like Salim Mvurya and party secretary-general Hassan Omar cautioned against overreach in the broad-based government. Kindiki urged locals to return President William Ruto for a second term, highlighting regional developments. “I urge you to bring back President Ruto for a second term. But for other political seats, compete between UDA and ODM because we are all brothers,” he said. He stressed that UDA and ODM form one bloc and called for strengthening both parties. Accompanied by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and MPs Kenneth Tungule (Ganze), Owen Baya (Kilifi North) and Aisha Jumwa (Kenya Roads Board chair), Kindiki announced Pamoja African Alliance (PAA)'s accession to UDA. Ganze MP Tungule, former PAA secretary-general, confirmed: “I was once PAA's secretary-general, but now we have joined UDA... there are no talks about the Deputy President seat.” Jumwa echoed that no UDA-ODM negotiations cover the deputy role. Last week, Speaker Amason Kingi made the decision after consultations with President Ruto.