Deputy President William Ruto yesterday left Mombasa after a two-day tour where he roped in a new crop of grassroots leaders to his side. “He knows that the Coast region is still largely an ODM zone but he is only trying to get the necessary votes from the region as a top-up,” Mrombo said. The roping in of politicians Haika from Taita Taveta, Rehema and Wario from Tana River and Shariff from Lamu East is seen as a strategy to get footholds in Taita Taveta, Tana River and Lamu counties. In a bid to appease Mombasa and Coast residents, Ruto said the SGR was not meant to impoverish any county. Coast leaders and residents have complained about the negative impact of the SGR, which has had a negative impact on businesses in the region.

Source: The Star August 30, 2020 18:56 UTC