Written By Ramadhan Kambi 📝
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) nominations for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat has brought to the fore the growing rivalry between former Devolution CAS Gideon Mung’aro and Kilifi Speaker Jimmy Kahindi.
It has clearly emerged that the battle for the ODM ticket in the gubernatorial race to replace Governor Amason Kingi would be between the two aspirants.
The race has attracted eight aspirants but as per the recent happenings in ODM rallies the two have had a bitter rivalry and proved to be the stronger candidates out of which one of them shall be the flagbearer.
On Saturday their differences emerged again during an azimio la umoja meeting when they came face to face again and their supporters exhibited stiff differences in public.
The rally was at the Malindi Cleopatra grounds and had been organized by Malindi parliamentary aspirant Amina Mnyazi to bring together all ODM aspirants ahead of the nominations.
Both Kahindi and Mung’aro attended and each called for peaceful nominations and expressed optimism that they would win.
The two leaders came separately with Mung’aro arriving last but their supporters were chanting songs in each of the candidate’s favor forcing on several occasions Mnyazi to intervene and tell them the meeting was for MCA aspirants and that the governor aspirants had been invited to support them.
Mnyazi called on the supporters of both aspirants to keep off their differences and ensure the rally goes on smoothly as the fi9nal decision will be made during the nomination exercise.
In his speech, Mung’aro said Kilifi County would be safe in his hands and openly announced that he did not fear nominations as he was a veteran in the political game having been in politics for over 15 years.
The former CAS said he was confident of winning exercise the nominations and promised Kilifi County residents that once elected he would revive tourism so as to help locals get jobs.
“When you elect me as Governor Kilifi will be safe but there is no doubt I will go for nomination with my brothers, I do not fear nominations do I look like a fear the nominations I have been in the political ground for over 15 years,” he said.
Mung’aro said he has not worked in Kilifi County but his record as mayor of Malindi is known having received many awards in the country for being the best.
“Kenya will be safe in the hands of Raila Odinga and Kilifi County will be safe in the hands of Mung’aro, about the nomination this is a simple thing, I am a veteran I have been in this industry,” he said.
The Kilifi Speaker on his part said the nominations should not be divided because of nominations because as ODM their goal is to ensure they win all the seats and that will be made possible with unity.
He however ruled out any possibility of him stepping down in favor of another aspirant and categorically stated that they have to face off in nominations.
“As members of the ODM party there is a need for us to come together because our enemy is outside not from within us and you know them, “he said.
The Speaker said nominations will come and go but they will all still remain in ODM and must accept the decision of the ODM members.
He called on all the aspiring governors to get prepared for the nominations and respect the decision which will be made by the people.
“Leaders must be elected by the people we understand that talking is one of the qualities of a good leader who knows how to articulate himself, to get a good leader we need to give the people a chance to choose the best,” he said.
Mnyazi on her part emphasized on the need for supporters and aspirants to respect each other ahead of the nominations.
The Malindi parli9amentary aspirant while calling on the electorates to vote for her as MP said they need to make proper decisions to get a good governor and ensure Raila is elected the president n.
She however took issue with UDA candidates for Kilifi Gubernatorial position the outgoing Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and the Pamoja African Alliance party saying they do not deserve to get elective positions.
Mnyazi said Jumwa was in ODM and should not get any support in Kilifi because the county is an ODM stronghold,
Further she said the PAA party is composed of people who have no interests for the people at heart as for the last 10 years the Kilifi governor’s administration has failed to transform the lives of the people.
Oscar Wanje one of the MCA aspirants in Ganda ward Malindi constituency said Malindi, Kilifi, and Coast at large were ODM strongholds and called on people to support Raila to ensure he gets to statehouse.
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