Coast leaders have renewed their campaign for the deputy president position ahead of the 2027 General Election, urging residents to register as voters in large numbers to strengthen the region’s bargaining power in ongoing political negotiations.

The leaders said increased voter registration would enhance the Coast’s influence in discussions linked to the broad-based political arrangement between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Speaking in Lamu County on July 27, 2026, Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho, accompanied by Principal Secretaries from the region and other leaders, called on residents to unite behind the voter registration drive.

Leaders rally residents to register

Joho said the Coast must increase its voter numbers to improve its position in future political negotiations.

“Kura kura zetu sahihi tukipiga hesabu ziko milioni mbili, kura za watu wa Mount Kenya milioni tano na kura za ndugu zetu kutoka Luo Nyanza milioni tatu, na sisi tukitaka kuhesabika mpaka tuwe serious. Tumeelewana kama kuna kitu mnafaa mfanye ni kulinda heshima yetu ni kuheshimisha viongozi wetu ndio tukienda mbele wenzetu wakituangalia tuwaangalie,” he said.

ODM deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir also urged residents to prioritise voter registration, describing it as the region’s strongest political tool.

“Kadi zetu ndio ambao kwamba zitakazoweza kutuokoa. Mungu akujalie salama na safari hii hamna lingine lile litakaloweza kutusaidia isipokuwa ni hilo,” he stated.

Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy Fikirini Jacobs encouraged eligible residents to register immediately, noting that Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission officials were available to assist.

“Kwanza chukua kura kwa sababu hii njia ambayo tumeishika hatutaki kwenda pekee yetu tunataka twende kama pwani ndio maana tumerudi hapa kuagana vizuri. Kama uko na kitambulisho nyumbani na umekuja nacho pia hapa hapa kuna watu wa IEBC tafadhali nakuomba kwa heshima na unyenyekevu andikisha pale.”

Survey highlights regional preferences

The renewed campaign comes as political leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

An Infotrak survey released on July 13, 2026, involving 3,000 respondents, showed varying regional preferences for a possible running mate to President William Ruto.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki led in the Mt Kenya region with 41 per cent support, while 33 per cent of respondents remained undecided. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru also featured among the preferred choices.

At the Coast, Joho recorded 60 per cent support, the highest backing for any named politician across the regions surveyed. Thirty-one per cent of respondents in the region were undecided.

In Nyanza, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga led with 35 per cent support, while in Western Kenya, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi topped the list with 28 per cent, followed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula at 22 per cent.

Focus shifts to 2027 negotiations

Kindiki has served as deputy president since November 2024 after succeeding Rigathi Gachagua.

The survey does not indicate any change to President Ruto’s running mate but reflects regional preferences as political realignments continue ahead of the next General Election.

Coast leaders maintained that expanding the region’s voter register remains central to strengthening its voice in future negotiations, saying a larger voting bloc would improve its chances of securing senior leadership positions in any political arrangement emerging before the 2027 polls.

ODM, on the other hand, has demanded a 50-50 per cent share before agreeing to extend their working relationship with UDA ahead of the 2027 polls.

Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya has also been fronted for the DP position by a section of ODM and Western Kenya leaders.