COVID-19 triggers creativity among politicians gunning for Msambweni

It will also go down in history as one of the campaigns marred by low key campaign rallies unlike in previous by-elections that were fought huge with well-oiled campaigns. Not in Msambweni where voters have been treated to not the usually dusty filled campaigns but rather low-key events, a sharp shift from the past elections. 

Even though and with the Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) is keeping up the tab to have their candidate Omar Boga elected, allies of Deputy President William Ruto who are supporting an independent candidate Feisal Abdalla Bader have gone low and mute even as the eight candidate seeking to win traverse the region to woo the electorates. 

After mounting what was billed as a major campaign for Mr Bader, Ruto allies led by former Senators Johnson Muthama (Machakos) Hassan Omar (Mombasa) and Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) have suddenly gone missing in action in the campaign arena for some weeks now.

The vocal Senators are instrumental for Feisal Abdalla Bader an independent candidate campaigns who is battling it out with ODM’s Mr Boga. 

The ban of political rallies by the government as a containment measure to curb the spread of Covid-19 which its second wave is dangerous has disrupted the otherwise would be a tough campaign for the seat that fell vacant after the death of Suleiman Dori.

Despite the threats posed by Covid-19, Mr Boga and Mr Bader have continued to make inroads across the constituency to win support of the more than 68,000 voters.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho who is leading ODM campaigns has pitched camp and campaigning for Mr Boga.

Over the weekend, the two frontline contenders skipped a debate  organised Human Rights Agenda (HURIA) and went to traverse the constituency to consolidate their support base. 

Mr Boga in the company of ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Senators Issah Juma Boy (Kwale) and Mohammed Faki (Mombasa) and Likoni MP Mishi Mboko.made rallies at Eshu, Mwachande, Kilulu, Mivumoni, Maphopmbe and Magodi villages. 

While Mr Bader was at Mvindeni issuing bursaries to secondary and university students accompanied by Lunga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani.