Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party leader Raila Odinga has today (Monday) commenced his six day tour of the larger Coast region to popularise the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

Raila landed at the Voi airstrip where he was received by Taita Taveta county Governor Granton Samboja, Voi Mp Jones Mlolwa among other leaders before heading to the Voi Wildlife hotel for a private meeting with the county leaders.

He will spend two days in Taita Taveta before heading to Kilifi county Wednesday.

On Thursday, the former Prime Minister will be in Mombasa county and is expected to visit all the six constituencies before heading to Kwale county.

His tour comes just weeks after that of his political rival Deputy President William Ruto who toured Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa counties campaigning against the BBI.

The tour also comes at a time when some leaders from the region within ODM have been advocating for the formation of a Coast political party. Among those who have been on the forefront advocating for the Coast party is Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has however maintained that he seek an ODM ticket to run for the presidency in 2011.

Last week, ODM extended the deadline for submission of applications by individuals who wish to be the party’s presidential candidate by one month.

“Further to the notice of the National Elections Board (NEB) of 21st January 2021 calling for the submission of applications by individuals interested in consideration as the ODM Party presidential candidate for the 2022 general elections, this is to extend the deadline for the submission of applications from 26th of February 2021 to 31st March 2021,” reads the statement from ODM.