President William Ruto has intervened in a political dispute between Minister Hassan Joho and UDA members in the Coast region over Joho's ambitions for the 2027 deputy presidency. He called for unity to avoid weakening UDA-ODM cooperation. The intervention came during an Iftar event at Mombasa State House.
President William Ruto intervened on Friday in the escalating political tension between Minister for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho and some United Democratic Alliance (UDA) members in the Coast region. He urged immediate reconciliation, warning that the rift threatens political unity between UDA and ODM in the broad-based government. Speaking during an Iftar with Muslim faithful at Mombasa State House, Ruto said, “Viongozi wa ODM na UDA, jukumu lenu la kufanya kazi kwa maelewano ni muhimu sana. Msiruhusu migogoro ya ndani kudhoofisha maendeleo yetu.” He stressed that leaders of the inclusive administration should exemplify national unity and called on Coast leaders to speak with one voice, referencing slogans of ‘fire’ and ‘power’ from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and ODM's Oburu Oginga. Joho has faced resistance while seeking to expand his influence in the Coast amid his interest in being Ruto's running mate in 2027. Local UDA members view Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Salim Mvurya as their true representative and back Kindiki's continuation. Mvurya expressed shock that the deputy presidency has become a public debate, stating it is solely the presidential candidate's prerogative. “Tumeshtushwa sana kuona suala la nafasi ya naibu rais wa 2027 limegeuzwa kuwa mjadala mkubwa. Hili linaturudisha nyuma,” he said. He defended Kindiki as a distinguished scholar with a strong record and warned that pressure to alter the 2027 ticket could politically isolate the Coast. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi pledged to work with Mvurya to bolster Coast support for Ruto. Joho was absent, performing Umrah in Mecca, as conveyed by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.