Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has officially joined the Kenya Kwanza Alliance led by United Democratic Alliance leader Deputy President William Ruto after ditching the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition.

While this was a much-welcomed move by the alliance, Kingi's entry into the alliance sets in motion DP's Ruto plan for Kilifi County as he has endorsed Malindi Member of Parliament Aisha Jumwa as a gubernatorial aspirant and she already clinched the nomination for the position.

Kingi through his Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party has tabled various issues to DP Ruto which have been agreed upon, and in fact, stated that his motivation to leave the Raila Odinga-led outfit was because his party's agenda was not considered whilst in the coalition and has resorted to moving on to a formation that offers the party to table their issues as an equal member.

He was speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, May 9 after officially joining Kenya Kwanza, stating that the move was citizen-oriented and would focus on the people on the ground.

“On 8th May we signed a coalition agreement with Kenya Kwanza after a series of meetings, and PAA’s NEC passed a resolution to join Kenya Kwanza,” he told journalists.

“This agreement is  not about leaders, it's about the people and their issues.”

Kingi expressed hope in his new political home, stating that he was assured that coastal representation in top government leadership would be prioritized once the formation clinches the presidency come August 9, stating that it was a win for the region as challenges such as the marginalization, land injustices, sidelining of the blue economy have remained unaddressed for years.

“A new chapter will officially begin once Kenya Kwanza comes to power. We are not interested in individual positions, we will promote inclusivity in sharing of national assets located at the coast,” said Kingi.

“PAA has signed a pre-election agreement detailing how its agenda will be addressed. All our issues have been captured well in the agreement.”

Kingi castigated the Azimio One Kenya Coalition for what he termed was disturbing deep secrecy and mistrust within the formation's leadership as he claimed that his party was not given access to documents regarding its membership within the coalition, accusing the formation of dictatorship on constituent parties.

“The legal process wasn't completed because they refused to share the agreement,  the dealings in Azimio are shrouded in mysterious ways, and it became difficult to pursue PAA's agenda within Azimio,” he said.

DP Ruto welcomed the party into the formation, taking a swipe at the Azimio One Kenya Coalition following the claims made by Kingi of exclusion and he assured that all constituent parties in the alliance would be treated with respect and openness.

“They have copies of the agreement that we have signed, there is a world of difference between us and the other side,” noted the DP.

“The other side used force, here we use respect, there is nothing we share with your modus operandi!” the DP remarked.