Written By Ramadhan Kambi 📝
Orange Democratic Movement Party (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has a task of ensuring that rivalry among those seeing gubernatorial seat on the party ticket in Kilifi and Mombasa counties is addressed immediately least it will ends in some fallout.
The huge task awaiting him was evident during the weekend tour of his Azimio La Umoja in the two counties.
During the meetings in Kilifi and Mombasa, supporters of those seeking governorship tickets were in a near fist fight.
In Kilifi, supporters of Gideon Mungaro and Jimmy Kahindi almost clashed as they each danced and cheered their candidates. It all started in Bamba where Mr Odinga had his first meeting and the same continued in Rabai, Kaloleni and Mariakani where it almost turned chaotic.
But Mr Odinga assured Kilifians that all shall be well and that no leader shall be left out of the ODM even after party primaries.
In Mombasa, it turned ugly at Tononoka when supports of gubernatorial candidates Suleiman Shahbal and Abdulswamad Nassir clashed when Mr Odinga was about to speak.
It took the intervention of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to try to calm the situation but supporters would hear none of his plea for calm.
It forced Mr Odinga to call both Shahbal and Mr Nassir to the podium and displayed his unity for the two.
“They are all in ODM and no one shall be left out. WE will ensure that we have a free ad fair nomination process. Whoever shall win must support the other. That is what we have agreed and it will happen,” said Mr Odinga as he claimed the audience.
This comes even as several leaders in Kilifi said other parties seeking to join the Azimio La Umoja must show respect to ODM.
Speaking at Bamba town when he hosted Raila, Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire expressed concerns that some parties hurl insults at the ODM leader but whenever he visits the region they want to be part of his rallies.
“We welcome everyone to Azimio but we must respect each other. We will not agree to welcome you to Azimio if you keep on throwing insults at us,” said Mwambire who is also ODM’s Kilifi county chairman.
Without mentioning any party Mwambire said newly formed parties in the region are keen of gaining popularity using Raila’s name.
When Mr Odinga s Coast tour was announced, wrangles emerged between ODM and the Amason Kingi led Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party over the inclusion of PAA in the participation of the rallies.
Whereas Kingi claimed he was tasked by Raila to come in and join ODM in the rallies, Mwambire maintained that the rallies were an ODM affair and not an Azimio affair.
PAA finaly bowed out of the rallies in the last minute and never attended any in Kilifi.
Kingi is the immediate former ODM chairman for Kilifi County. He was kicked out after forming his own party.
In the last general election, ODM clinched all the elective seats in Kilifi county save for eight out of the 35 county assembly seats.
Mwambire was Kingi’s deputy in the party. Currently, the two leaders do not meet eye to eye.
Kilifi south member Ken Chonga said some of the parties are coming to Azimio with ill motives.
“Just the other day ODM and Raila were bad until you decided to build your own house now you are here demanding to working with us. If you want to join Azimio come here with clean hands. You will not dictate to us,” he said
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir said respect among the coalition members was paramount.
Mombasa governor Hassan Joho said the region is still solidly behind ODM.
“People here are still passionate with the oranges. We are now in Azimio. We will mobilize votes for you so that you can clear the way for us. After 2022 the next president will come from this region,” he said
