Raila rallies the coast region behind ODM’s presidential bid

ODM Leader Raila Odinga has moved to cement his support in the coastal region, unveiling his blueprint that he says is a solution to coastal marginalization and perennial land injustices.

Odinga who addressed his supporters in Mombasa called for establishment of more industries at the coastal belt to boost job opportunities and eradicate poverty in the region.

The ODM leader took the one love message to the coastal town, as he intensified his Azimio La Umoja clarion call.

Odinga’s visit to the coastal town seemingly meant to ringfence his coastal tuff, a region that backed his presidential bid in 2007, 2013 and 2017.

During his mission, Odinga came face to face with issues at the coast with leaders and delegates drawn from all the six counties tabling their demands that ranged from land injustices, marginalization, exploitation and underfunding.

“Hatutaki tena kukuwa watu ambao tukiwa mahali we beg as if we do not belong to this country….” Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said.

But odinga outlined his blueprint for the coast region, in his yet to be declared stab at the presidency.

The former premier added that Mombasa’s blue economy is a low hanging fruit for the coastal population.

“Mombasa ndio mlango ya kuingia Kenya….kuna uchumi samawati na ikutumika vizuri italeta utajiri sii kwa wapwani peke yao,” Raila said

Odinga promised to revive industries at the coast while paying attention to establishing a global fish market to tap the ocean’s fortunes.

“Mombasa iko katika corridor ya Tuna…na china wanavua samaki wetu mbona tusiweke viwanda mzuri ya samaki na tuongeze ajira kwa watu wetu,” he posed

According to Odinga, the Coast region remains untapped with a potential of joining the country’s food basket.

With the majority of coastal counties marginalised in education, Odinga says it is time for equity in class.

“Mtoto wa maskini au awe wa tajiri..lazima wapewe nafasi sawa ya kusoma kutoka nursery hadi chuo kikuu,” Raila added.

The delegates meeting in mombasa endorsed Odinga to succeed President Kenyatta in next year’s State House race.

“Baba ndio amepigania kenya hii wacha tumpatie mandela way,”Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja said.

In a bid to unite the leaders in the region Odinga says he held a meeting with Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya to have him in the fold and scuttle any attempts by deputy president William Ruto to penetrate the coastal bloc.

“tumesema 2022 ni Raila Odinga hapa Mombasa ni mahali yetu wachanana wale wanakuja kukimbia hapa,” MP Junet Mohamed said

Odinga now moves to the North Eastern region, Lower eastern, North Rift, South Rift and later Nairobi in what is likely to culminate in an announcement on the 2022 succession race.