Wamuzi News Ke
Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho today delivered a striking call to arms in Hola, urging residents of Tana River to rally firmly behind President William Ruto’s administration. In a speech delivered during a high-profile public empowerment event, CS Joho emphatically asserted that coastal communities would no longer be shortchanged in national development.
“The president and his DP have led the call for national unity, and I want to tell you today that it is what we will prioritise so that every Kenyan can feel part of this country. If a road is built in Eldoret, it should also be built in Kisumu and Kilifi,” Joho declared, challenging the perception that infrastructure and services have often been skewed in favour of larger regions.
At the centre of his message was a rebuke of politics based on population size or tribal affiliations. Joho warned that previously dominant groups can no longer sideline smaller communities. “Ruto has now changed that politics so that every community in the country, however small it may be, can feel as part of this country,” he said, directly positioning coastal voters as key beneficiaries of a new inclusive agenda.
His address came amid mounting speculation that Joho himself may be eyeing higher office. Just a week ago, reports suggested he is laying the groundwork for a 2032 presidential bid, buoyed by strong support along the Coast. Today’s rally in Tana River lends fresh weight to that narrative—signalling his capacity to mobilize communities behind the ruling party.
Also speaking at the rally, Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of divisive politics that “embarrassed the nation,” contrasting that with current DP Kindiki, who he said has fostered a cooperative relationship with coastal leaders. “Our plans for the future are now in the safe hands of Ruto,” Mungatana added, as he reaffirmed the region’s re-alignment with the central government.
Joho’s speech carries sharp political undertones. Coming just months ahead of critical by-elections in coastal constituencies—including Kilifi, Likoni, and Lamu—it sends a clear message to local politicians that allegiance to the ruling government will be rewarded with development dividends. The rally deepens the narrative of a coastal shift towards Ruto’s UDA, undercutting opposition campaigns premised on coastal marginalization.
What next?
Political watchers will closely monitor whether Ruto’s development pledges—roads, water infrastructure, healthcare—reach Tana River before the polls. For Joho, this weekend’s affirmation of national unity and coastal interest coalesces into a potent political strategy with long-term implications. With Senator Mungatana and other leaders echoing the offer of inclusion, Tana River’s demonstrated loyalty could become a blueprint for coastal trust-building—and a stepping stone for Joho’s broader ambitions.
