Coast political leaders have told President William Ruto that their support for his 2027 re-election will depend on concrete action on development and political commitments to the region.
Leaders drawn from Taita-Taveta, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa say long-delayed projects must be completed and regional concerns addressed before the next election cycle.
The leaders, most of them allied to the Orange Democratic Movement, say discussions with the President are ongoing and will shape how the region positions itself politically.
Likoni MP Mishi Mboko said the Coast leadership has already made internal agreements on future political support but expects firm assurances in return.
“We have agreed as the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and as leaders to support President Ruto in 2027. Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho will be on the ballot in 2032. The President should give an undertaking to support him,” Mboko said.
Mombasa Governor and ODM Deputy Leader Abdulswamad Nassir said the party will soon engage the President on a detailed agenda touching on the region’s priorities.
“There is the 10-point agenda to be implemented. Soon we shall have a meeting on that. We shall either form the government or be part of it in 2027,” Nassir said while addressing residents during the issuance of business grants at Mkomani showground.
President William Ruto addressing the youths during the disbursement of NYOTA funds at Mombasa’s ASK Show on February 6, 2026 PHOTO/PCSPresident Ruto met Coast leaders at State House, Mombasa, on Thursday evening, where he said his administration was committed to unlocking the region’s economic potential. He assured the leaders that stalled projects had resumed and pledged that development would be spread evenly across the country.
“Met Coast leaders at State House, Mombasa, to discuss the region’s needs and noted that crucial projects that had stalled have resumed. We agreed that the Mombasa-Malindi and Mombasa-Lunga Lunga highways should be dualled,” the President said.
He also said land challenges that have affected the Coast for decades would be addressed through the issuance of title deeds. In addition, he promised to expand access to education and upgrade a hospital in the region to national referral status.
The meeting came as the government rolled out youth empowerment funds under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement programme. A total of 5,880 young people from Mombasa, Kwale and Taita-Taveta received Sh139.5 million during the event attended by President Ruto and his deputy Kithure Kindiki.
The beneficiaries were selected from 30 wards in Mombasa, 20 wards in Kwale and 20 wards in Taita-Taveta. Under the Nyota business startup capital component, each recipient received Sh25,000 in the first phase.
From the amount, Sh22,000 was sent directly to beneficiaries through mobile phone accounts, while Sh3,000 was deposited into a Haba na Haba Savings Account managed by the National Social Security Fund.
A second phase will see beneficiaries receive an additional Sh25,000, raising the total startup support to Sh50,000 per person.
In total, 121,000 young entrepreneurs across the country are expected to benefit from the programme. The release of the funds followed the completion of a compulsory four-day training aimed at equipping participants with skills to start and manage businesses.
President Ruto said Nyota is central to his government’s plan to empower young people by improving access to capital, encouraging enterprise and creating sustainable sources of income. The Mombasa event drew participants from 44 counties where the programme has already been launched.
The rollout will conclude next week with Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties. The government has also opened applications for the programme’s second pillar, the On-the-Job Experience component.
Through this initiative, 90,000 youths will be attached to master craftsmen in trades such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electrification for six months, with each participant receiving a monthly stipend of Sh6,000.
