Has Ruto found new political ally at Coast?

By Patrick BejaEldoret North MP William Ruto has in the past made several visits to the Coast and even traversed the region in a hunt for votes.
But it appears there is an unusual political excitement about his latest planned visit this weekend.
With organisers confirming Mr Ruto would be taken round the Coast by Trade minister and Matuga MP Chirau Ali Mwakwere, it clearly shows he has found a new political ally at the Coast.
It also seems the so called G7 alliance would be making inroads as it fights off the ODM wave in the region.
Organisers also say Tourism minister Najib Balala could accompany Ruto as his reported reunion with Prime Minister Raila Odinga was still not clear.
Co-ordinator for the Ruto camp in the six counties of Coast Province and former Kisauni MP Ananiah Mwaboza, said Balala was likely to join Ruto although he has not yet confirmed this.
Political allianceMr Mwaboza, who has been a long time ally of both Mr Balala and Ruto, said of the Mvita MP: "We expect Balala to be with Ruto and Mwakwere. If he fails then we will seek answers as to why he skipped."
Kaloleni MP and Assistant minister for Medical Services Samuel Kazungu Kambi is also expected to join Ruto on the Coast tour.
Ruto’s other confidant at the Coast is Gender minister and Taveta MP Dr Naomi Shaban, who is also likely to be part of the entourage.
Those who believe Balala is still in the G7 fold insist he invited the PM to Mvita clinic a fortnight ago as the co-ordinator and supervisor of government ministries and not as ODM leader.
Earlier, Balala himself had alluded to this a day before he received Raila in his constituency, a move later viewed as a reconciliation between him and other MPs in Mombasa County as well as the PM.
Coast leaders in the so-called PNU alliance say political alliance between Mwakwere and Balala was still in progress.
"The two are drifting towards close working relationship. We believe Balala is not yet back to ODM," said an official of the PNU alliance.
Ruto has since publicly announced he was walking in the same political direction with Mwakwere at the Coast and Dujis MP Aden Duale in North Eastern Province.
They believe he would work with Mwakwere, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.
On July 1, Ruto is expected to tour Malindi and preside over a funds-drive for churches at Bomani in Magarini District.
According to Mwaboza, Ruto would be accompanied by Mwakwere who would lead the pack in Coast. Ruto, who is expected to be flanked by about 20 legislators from upcountry, will later address various religious leaders in Malindi town.
"We expected Mwakwere to walk side by side with Ruto and show unity as he tours the Coast region," Mwaboza says.
Malindi County Council chairperson Ms Elina Mbaru will play host to Ruto at the Magarini function that will kick off the UDM and G7 political drive at the Coast.
Election significantRuto will preside over celebrations of UDM councillor Hassan Mohamed in Roka, Kilifi County, on July 2.
Organisers say the election of the councillor in Kilifi was significant at the Coast as he showed he would break even after beating ODM there.
"The celebration at Chumani will see three bulls and several goats slaughtered to celebrate the UDM win," Mwaboza says.
Ruto will then head south on July 3 and preside over a fundsdrive in aid of youth football clubs in Shirazi, Msambweni.
Mwakwere, who comes from Kwale County and the local councillor and Kwale County Council chairman Mshenga Ruga are expected to host him.
Mr Ruga who spearheaded the ‘No’ referendum campaigns in Kwale is a close ally of both Ruto and Mwakwere.
"We expect to host Ruto on July 3 at Shirazi near Ramisi," Ruga confirmed.
A prominent Coast politician and lawyer Yusuf Abubakar, says Ruto, Mwakwere and Balala would work as equals at the Coast.
"They all have a lot of clout. Mwakwere commands respect among Coast communities, Balala is popular among Muslims and nationally while Ruto has a large following in the Rift Valley and elsewhere in the county," he says.
Mr Abubakar says Mwakwere, Balala and Ruto can give ODM a run for its money at the Coast.
Listening leaderKilifi County Council chairman Anthony Kingi says they prefer working with Ruto because he is accessible.
"In politics we go for the interest of our people and Ruto has proved to be a listening leader. He is also development conscious and action oriented. We saw this when he served at the Ministry of Agriculture. He revived irrigation schemes at Hola and Bura," Kingi says.
He says he will host Ruto at Chumani as the former Higher Education minister celebrates making inroads at the Coast.
Abubakar says several parties are likely to come together and form a strong political alliance to avoid forming a coalition government after the 2012 General Election.