Hassan Omar Praises Ruto For Restoring Dignity And Land Rights At Coast Rally
Politics Updated: 21 May 2026 16:25 EAT
Photo courtesy: UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar speaking in President William Ruto coastal tour today
United Democratic Alliance Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan strongly defended President William Ruto during a political rally held at Mama Ngina Drive in Mombasa as the Head of State continued his development tour of the Coast region.
The UDA official used the gathering to attack government critics and opposition leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, while praising the Kenya Kwanza administration for what he described as efforts to restore dignity and economic empowerment to residents of the Coast.
Addressing hundreds of supporters, Hassan Omar revisited long-standing historical grievances surrounding land ownership and economic exclusion in the region, saying coastal communities had for years been unfairly stereotyped and marginalised.
“Wale walitangulia kabla yako, wakiongozwa na wale walioanzisha hili taifa la Kenya, badala ya kutuita sisi wavuvi, wakatuita wavivu. Wakasema sisi ni watu wa kungojea nazi kuanguka. Wakaja hapa wakatunyakulia nazi zetu. Nawaambia leo nazi ya kwanza inarudi na inarudishwa na William Samoei Ruto,” said Omar.
The UDA secretary general used the coconut metaphor to symbolise what he termed as the return of economic opportunities and land rights to local communities under President Ruto’s administration.
He further accused previous regimes and powerful individuals of dispossessing Coast residents of ancestral land and resources, particularly in counties such as Kwale and Taita Taveta.
“Wale waliofanya wanyamapori wakawa bora kuliko binadamu Voi na Taita Taveta; wale waliotuchukulia mashamba Kwale, wale walichukulia mashamba huku katika maeneo ya Pwani yote, nawaambia: mkuwe tayari kurejesha nazi. Wenye nazi sasa wako tayari kuja kuzinyakua,” he declared.
The remarks drew loud cheers from sections of the crowd that have long complained about unresolved historical land injustices and displacement linked to conservation projects and private ownership disputes.
Hassan Omar also praised President Ruto for reforms aimed at addressing citizenship documentation challenges that have affected sections of the Coast region for decades.
“Mr. President, you have made us dignified. You have returned our citizenship right. Sisi leo tunamiliki kitambulisho na tukapata haki zote nyingine za kitaifa. Haiwezekani kamwe sisi tuka rudi nyuma. Wazungu wanasema ‘Forward ever, backward never,’” he said.
For years, some communities in the Coast region have complained of difficulties in acquiring national identity cards, a challenge that has historically affected access to employment opportunities, education and government services.
During the rally, Omar defended the government’s record on land reforms and issuance of title deeds, arguing that the Kenya Kwanza administration had made significant progress since taking office in 2022.
“1.4 million titles zimekabidhiwa kuanzia William Ruto aingie katika mamlaka 2022. Katika hizi, 380,000 zimepewa zimekabidhiwa watu wa Pwani. 25% to 30% ya issues ya titles zimekuja katika Pwani,” Omar stated.
The government has in recent months intensified issuance of title deeds in several coastal counties as part of efforts to address historical land disputes and strengthen property ownership rights.
President Ruto’s Coast tour has largely focused on infrastructure development, housing projects, blue economy investments and land reforms targeting residents in the region.
At the same time, Hassan Omar sharply criticised political opponents whom he accused of corruption, land grabbing and attempting to derail the government’s development agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Mafisadi wale mariginal na wengine wezi wa mashamba wale waliotudhulumu, hawataweza tena kurudi katika uongozi wa Kenya either directly or indirectly. Sisi tutasimama na William Ruto, tutamrudisha William Ruto,” he told supporters.
The UDA secretary general framed the next election as a contest between leaders focused on development and those he accused of exploiting Kenyans through divisive politics and corruption.
He urged residents of the Coast to remain united behind the Kenya Kwanza administration and resist political forces seeking to weaken President Ruto’s support in the region.
“Sasa ni kufanya kazi pamoja baadaye nyinyi mtakuja amua. Lakini kwa sasa adui wetu yule hatupendi, yule ataka kuturejesha nyuma, yule fisadi, yule aliyetangulia kama Rais wa Jamhuri hii... tutawaweka katika kaburi la sahau ili wayaende huko mbele watokomee na sisi tuweze kuhakikisha tumeendelea,” Omar said.
The comments appeared aimed at opposition figures and former state officials who have recently intensified criticism of the Kenya Kwanza government over the economy, taxation and governance concerns.
Political tensions have continued to rise across the country as early alignments for the 2027 elections begin taking shape, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua emerging as one of the government’s most vocal critics following his fallout with President Ruto.
Despite the criticism facing the administration over the high cost of living and unemployment, Ruto’s allies insist the government remains focused on delivering development projects and stabilising the economy.
As the rally came to a close, Hassan Omar delivered an energetic appeal to supporters to stand firmly behind President Ruto and defend the administration politically.
“William Samuel Ruto kwa hayo mengi wacha tuone two time, two tam, two time. Katika jeshi tulikuwa na msemo na tumefika hapo wanasema ‘fight or pigana ama ufe’ na sisi tutapigana ili tusife. Mungu awabariki,” he concluded.
The remarks capped a charged political rally that underscored the growing battle for influence at the Coast as Kenya’s political landscape gradually shifts toward the 2027 election season.
Tags: HASSAN OMAR ODM-UDA Pact Political Parties Political Party Political tensions Politics Signs Signs Media Kenya Limited Signs Tv Signsmedia Signstv Signstvkenya Tutam Two Term Uda UDA Uda Party William Ruto
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FELIX MAKONA
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