William Ruto raided Raila Odinga’s Mombasa bastion over the weekend but allies of the former Prime Minister were quick to organize a rally to counter the DP’s onslaught.
The coast region voted for Raila overwhelmingly in the past elections and it’s considered a stronghold of the ODM leader.
Most of the elected leaders in Coast are members of Raila’s ODM party which is the most prominent political outfit in the region.
Ruto camped in Mombasa over the past weekend in a bid to sway the region to support his 2022 presidential bid.
The deputy president traversed the Mombasa holding rallies that attracted huge crowds at different stopovers within the coastal city.
At the Makadara Grounds in Mombasa County, presided over the empowerment of Tuk Tuk and Boda Boda operators from Mvita Constituency; also addressed wananchi and small-scale traders at Marikiti Market and Kengeleni in Nyali Constituency. pic.twitter.com/OeShGiM92C
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 16, 2021
We cannot drive the growth of our economy on the trickle-down mentality of handouts but a deliberate, inclusive and sustainable plan that will expand enterprises, and create jobs and wealth for the millions of ordinary Kenyans. pic.twitter.com/pEK6BcFHht
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 16, 2021
However, Raila’s allies from coast led by Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and Mombasa senator Mohamed Faki organized a parallel rally to counter Ruto’s onslaught.
In effort to neutralize the DP’s influence and win more support base – Mishi Mboko, Senator Faki and Abdulswamad stormed the streets of Mombasa to sensitize locals on voter registration and ODM Membership.
Mvita MP @A_S_Nassir currently leading a voter registration drive and @TheODMparty membership drive in Likoni, Mombasa County. pic.twitter.com/JrbnjBmAHg
— ODM Reloaded (@OdmReloaded) October 16, 2021
The two Mombasa lawmakers repainted the coastal city orange – the official color of ODM – during their rallies which also drew mammoth crowds.
Mombasa ni @TheODMparty
Rais ni @RailaOdinga @MbokoMishi @MwinyihajiFaki pic.twitter.com/vF8D67VCxm— Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) October 16, 2021
Raila’s men count on the coast region remaining his stronghold if he is to ascend to the presidency in 2022.
The ODM leader enjoys massive support in Nyanza, Western, Coast and Nairobi which have traditionally voted for him overwhelmingly in past elections.
Raila was busy campaigning in Isiolo at the time his lieutenants staged counter rallies to ward off Ruto from his Mombasa stronghold.
Related: “Ataenda”- Raila Forced To Disown Isiolo Governor Kuti Amid Chants From Doyo Fans
