Former minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere has hosted Siaya Governor James Orengo at his Simba Golini home, days after welcoming former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to the same residence, where he declared his support for the Wanatam movement alongside the coastal people.

Speaking at Mwakwere’s home on Friday, July 10, 2026, Orengo said he had begun his tour of Kwale County by seeking the blessings of the veteran politician, whom he described as the undisputed spokesperson of the Mijikenda community.

He stated that for generations, the Mijikenda people had placed their faith in the liberation struggle led by the late Raila Odinga and that his visit to the Coast was aimed at strengthening that bond while offering hope to residents whom he claimed had been betrayed by President William Ruto’s administration.

“Today, as I embark on my Kwale County tour to speak directly to the hearts of the Mijikenda people, we began by seeking the blessings of their undisputed spokesperson, Hon. Chirau Ali Makwere, at his Simba Golini home. For generations, the Mijikenda family placed their faith in the liberation struggle of the late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga.

Orengo further claimed that Kwale’s rich mineral resources were being exploited without the consent or benefit of local communities, while historical land injustices remained unresolved and national development projects continued to bypass the region.

He also alleged that the poor state of roads and the decline of economic activity at the Port of Mombasa had deprived many young people of employment opportunities. The governor accused the government of failing to dismantle drug cartels operating in the Coast region, alleging that those responsible were being protected. He maintained that the opposition was building a formidable coalition to unseat the Kenya Kwanza administration in the 2027 general election, insisting that President William Ruto’s time in office was coming to an end.

Gachagua’s visit

This comes days after former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua temporarily paused his Wamunyoro consultations to attend what he described as urgent “family matters” in the Coast region following a meeting with leaders of the Mijikenda community.

In a statement posted on his X account on Monday, June 29, 2026, Gachagua said he suspended the ongoing consultations at his Wamunyoro residence to attend a meeting of Mijikenda leaders led by their spokesman, Chirau Ali Makwere.

According to Gachagua, the meeting was attended by leaders from the Digo, Giriama, Duruma, Rabai, Chonyi, Kauma, Kambe, Jibana and Ribe communities.

He said the leaders had sought solidarity from what he described as their “cousins from the Mountain” over challenges facing the Coast region.