The Magarini by-election has tested the unity of coastal political leaders, bringing together Hassan Joho and Amason Kingi. This collaboration contributed to Harrison Kombe's victory in the parliamentary seat. Opposition figures, however, question its longevity.
For many years, coastal politicians have competed under different parties, leading to divisions. The Magarini by-election changed that by uniting leaders such as Mines Minister Hassan Joho and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who participated in the campaigns.
Joho, former Mombasa governor, urged residents to collaborate with leaders united in government through the broad-based alliance of President William Ruto and Raila Odinga. “I, Kingi, and even Salim Mvurya are together, so let us all cooperate to achieve our Coast goals,” Joho said at one of the rallies.
The three—Joho, Kingi, and Mvurya—were former governors of Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale respectively, and had collaborated in ODM. Mvurya left the party in 2017 to seek re-election under Jubilee, later joining Ruto's UDA. Kingi launched the Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) ahead of the 2022 general election to push for coastal unity.
This cooperation helped Kombe defeat Stanley Kenga of the Democratic Congress Party (DCP), who was backed by Kalonzo Musyoka. Musyoka stated, “By 2027, there will be no such thing as ‘broad-based’. All my friends here will have different positions,” expressing doubts about the arrangement.
Post-election, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro accompanied Kombe to a meeting with Ruto in Nairobi on Wednesday. The discussion focused on implementing promises like the construction of the Mjanaheri–Ng’omeni road, expected to bring significant changes to the area.