President William Ruto’s eight-day Coast tour exposed the difficulty of keeping UDA and ODM united nationally while their leaders compete for county seats ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The tension was most evident in Mombasa and Kwale counties, where politicians publicly staked claims to gubernatorial seats as Dr Ruto urged them to stop fighting.
In Mombasa, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar, who is seeking the governorship, received an enthusiastic reception before addressing the President after Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome invited him to speak.
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who is seeking a second term on an ODM ticket, responded sharply. “Ms Wahome has erred. I want to remind her that the Governor of Mombasa is Abdulswamad Nassir. Contend with this fact in advance,” he said, as UDA supporters chanted “one term”.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir when he appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee at Bunge Tower in Nairobi on June 4, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Mr Omar, who is campaigning for Dr Ruto’s re-election, has said the gubernatorial contest will be discussed later.
But he and businessman Suleiman Shahbal, who recently left ODM, have insisted they will not step aside for Mr Nassir. Nyali MP Mohammed Ali and former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo are also in the race.
Suleiman Shahbal during a past event.
Photo credit: File
Mvita MP Masoud Machele captured the contradiction with a reference to Mombasa’s biryani, saying leaders could “fight up to the end” while supporting Dr Ruto’s re-election. Dr Ruto urged UDA and ODM leaders to work as “siblings” and direct their competition at the opposition.
Kwale Governor Fatuma Mohamed Achani.
Photo credit: File | Nation
In Kwale, Governor Fatuma Achani (UDA) is preparing to defend her seat against an ODM challenge involving former Agriculture Principal Secretary Hamadi Boga and politician Lungazi Mangale.
Dr Ruto introduced Prof Boga during a meeting, prompting Ms Achani’s supporters to celebrate as she raised her hand. Later, Ms Achani told rivals to stop focusing on her and vowed to serve two terms.
Prof Boga declared Kwale an ODM zone and asked Dr Ruto to meet party leaders ahead of 2027. Mr Mangale urged the President to leave local politicians to organise the gubernatorial contest.
Dr Ruto endorsed neither camp, saying voters would decide governors, senators and MCAs based on their record.
Taita Taveta presents another variation. Governor Andrew Mwadime, elected as an independent in 2022 before joining UDA, faces ODM’s Jones Mwaruma, UDA’s Granton Samboja and Wiper’s Wundanyi MP Danson Mwashako.
In Kilifi, the contest is different after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said UDA would not field a gubernatorial candidate against incumbent Gideon Mung’aro. Former Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa, who recently left UDA, is among his opponents.
Former Gender, Culture, and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa.
Photo credit: Photo | PCS
In Lamu and Tana River, governors Issa Timamy and Dhado Godhana are serving second and final terms, shifting the 2027 focus to succession.
The Coast races leave Dr Ruto managing competing interests among allies: supporting UDA and ODM cooperation while allowing rival candidates to campaign for the same county seats.
