Ganze MP Teddy Mwambire has said that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is still dorminant at the Coast despite its recent by-election loss in Msambweni, Kwale County. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Uzalendo News, Mr Mwambire who is also the Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) secretary said ODM still enjoys a massive following in the region it has dorminated for years.
“I want to assure ODM supporters that the party still is the most popular political party at the Coast. The Msambweni loss might have been caused by various challenges but we are now focused on retaining our dorminance. The major test of our popularity will be measured in 2022 General Election.
The ODM MP, who was supporting Omar Boga, who was the ODM candidate for the seat said they are yet to carry a postmortem for the loss , adding that all the loopholes that might have led to the loss are addressed.
ODM is a a big political party and we don’t take with ease what happened in Msambweni. But we are yet to do an analysis of what happened leading to the loss. All in all, Msambweni now has a new MP and the people spoke, ” said Mr Mwambire
The win in Msambweni by Feisal Bader, an independent candidate shocked many ODM party loyalists with some questioning the popularity of the party which has enjoyed massive political support in the region.
Already the Coast MPs through their secretariat have welcomed the newly elected Msambweni MP , promising to work together for the development of the Constituency.
“For and on behalf of the entire Coast Parliamentary (CPG) Group, I take this opportunity to convey our deepest heartfelt congratulations to the Msambweni MP – elect, Feisal Abdallah Bader, for winning the just concluded by election,” said the MP.
Mr Mwambire an ODM MP who was supporting Iddi Omar Boga for the seat said in a statement that there is always a winner and participants in every election.
“In this case, there should be no losers so let the great people of Msambweni constituency enjoy united efforts in initiating development projects which will be of great positive transformation. Welcome Mr Bader to the Coast Parliamentary (CPG) Group family,” Mr Mwambire said.
Running as an independent candidate Feisal Bader was declared the new Msambweni MP-elect after garnering 15,251 votes in the by-election that was highly contested.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Returning Officer Yusuf Abubakar, declared Mr Bader the winner and issued him with an election certificate.
Mr Bader’s main rival, ODM’s Omar Boga, came in second with 10,444 votes.
Although the constituency has 69,003 registered voters, those who cast their votes were 27,313 as the voter turnout stood at 39.5 per cent.
The exercise is over and thank God that we have come to its conclusion. I hereby declare I declare Feisal the winner for Msambweni Constituency by-election by garnering highest number of votes,” said Mr Abubakar.
Mr Bader said he will diligently carry out his duties and work with all the people of Msambweni as their MP.
“I want thank the people of Msambweni for believing in me. I want to thank all the people who walked with me through to victory. We will work with our opponents for the sake of our constituency,” he said
He thanked Deputy President William Ruto for supporting him.
He said he will work with Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and his deputy Fatuma Achani to deliver for the people of Msambweni.
The by-election was marred by bribery scenes, arrests and all other forms of intimidation that at some times scared away potential voters.
The win by Bader has added to the long list of woes facing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) dominance in the region, with clear sings that Deputy President Willima Ruto’s hustler nation movement is getting more attention in the region.
