The Azimio La Umoja brigade in Kwale has downplayed the elevation of governor Salim Mvurya  by Deputy President William Ruto as a Kenya Kwanza principal.

 The team led by nominated senator Agnes Zani who is also ODM’s national deputy secretary-general maintains that Coast region is still Raila Odinga’s stronghold.

 Speaking in Kwale town during a meeting with youths, Zani urged all aspirants in the area to mobilise their votes as well as ensuring Raila receives support  in the next election.

 “Raila is the only leader who can assist the coastal people so let us not be misled by leaders who have their own interests with the resources at the coast, stick to Raila and on August 9 give him all your votes,” she said.

 Ruto at the weekend elevated the governor to a principal, in a move that was seen as calculated to raise his stature and give the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) campaign a national face. The other coast governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Granton Samboja (Taita Taveta), Dhadho Godhana (Tana River), Amason Kingi (Kilifi) and Fahim Twaha (Lamu) support Azimio movement.

 The ODM leaders said the party is popular in the region exuding confidence it will clinch all the seats in the forthcoming election.

 “I believe on August 9 it will be a six-piece affair for Azimio Coalition just like in 2013 so that we grab all the seats from the Kenya Kwanza alliance,” Zani said.

 In Kwale, Ruto enjoys support of governor Mvurya and all the four elected MPs namely Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga-Lunga), Feisal Bader (Msambweni), Kassim Tandaza (Matuga) and Benjami Tayari (Kinango).

 Mvurya and the four MPs have however assured Ruto they will make sure on August 9 the DP gets over 80 percent of Kwale votes against Raila.

Ruto incorporated Mvurya as a principal Saturday during a rally at Kwale Stadium in Kinarini. 

In his new status, the governor will join the league of Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua.