Deputy President William Ruto-linked United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has embarked on a recruitment drive to popularise and strengthen the outfit in Coast region as more leaders continue to join the camp ahead of 2022.

 It comes as local leaders linked to Ruto,  led by former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar and Nyali MP Mohammed Ali warned  Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) followers to brace themselves for a bruising battle for Mombasa governorship in 2022.

 Raila’s party has controlled the region’s politics for the last three Genera-Elections, but its popularity appears to be waning, with a new crop of leaders joining camp as the region gravitates towards UDA ahead of 2022.

 Omar asked the former Prime Minister   to down his political tools as he had nothing to offer in 2022, after dining with the Jubilee government and failing to question as public resources were stolen, adding that Ruto will offer the best leadership the country has deserved.

 “Raila has served this country to a level where he is now, it’s time he should sit back and let other people lead this country in 2022,”said Omar, while backing the bottoms-up economic strategy led by the deputy president.

Jail corrupt leaders

 Ali took a swipe at Raila over his remarks that he will  jail corrupt leaders, saying he Raila should jail corrupt leaders within his own ODM party.

 “If Raila Odinga is ready to jail corrupt leaders, then he should first clean his house from corrupt leaders, we know the corrupt leaders are in ODM,” alleged Ali during a media briefing held in Mombasa yesterday.

 Ali who had earlier indicated that he would contest for Mombasa governor, yesterday announced that he had shelved his ambition  in favour  of Omar, saying he believes in the former senator’s political philosophy which he said resonates with the youth and the poor.

 Speaking at Renaissance Centre, Omar  expressed his confidence that UDA party will produce three governors at the Coast.Omar, who decamped from the Wiper party is vying for the gubernatorial position through UDA IN 2022.

 Among the new entrants to UDA is Umra Omar who was ushered to the party yesterday as she launched her campaign for Lamu gubernatorial bid through the UDA party.

 The party also welcomed Likoni Member of Parliament contestant Ali Domoko who lost to incumbent Mishi Mboko Mboko during party nominations ahead of the  2017 General-Election.

 “We will break all barriers as a Hustler party, and give equal opportunities to all contestants country wide. Everyone who joins this party should feel welcomed,” said Omar who while he welcomed the new members.

 Omar drummed up support for Domoko terming him as the best bet for Likoni leadership as he has all the political strength to beat. 

“We have suffered a lot with the poor leadership in this coastal region,we have new blood and new players in the UDA party to beat all the opponents, it’s going to be a do or die contest,” said Domoko, drumming up support for the bottom up economy strategy.