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ODM leader Raila Odinga has on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, handed nomination certificates to ODM nominees who won in the recent nomination exercise held in the six counties of the Coastal region.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Mombasa County, Raila urged ODM supporters to adopt the six-piece voting pattern to ensure the Orange party bags maximum seats in the forthcoming elections.

The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition party flagbearer assured residents of the Coastal region that they stand to gain should he ascend to power. Raila stated that it was high time the marginalized communities of the Coast region had a stake in the national cake.

“Raila Odinga has assured the people of the Coast region his government will ensure they also benefit from the services of the Port of Mombasa. He said for a long time Coastal people have been marginalized and that it is high time they also benefited from the national cake,” a statement by ODM read in part.

The ceremony comes against the backdrop of protests by supporters of business magnate Suleiman Shabhal. Speaking at a town-hall meeting with the ODM politician, the residents urged Shabhal to consider running for the Mombasa county gubernatorial race as an Independent candidate.

Shabhal recently dropped his gubernatorial his bid to back Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir following talks that were presided over by Raila and Mombasa governor Hassan Joho. The businessman is yet to announce his next course of action.