Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir insists that the Orange democratic Movement (ODM) party was intact despite recent events in which a section of the leadership appeared to hold a divergent view in a series of splinter public rallies.
Abdulswamad who is also the ODM Deputy Party Leader re affirmed that the party remains united, insisting that emerging factions should not be misconstrued to the contrary, even as the Senator Edwin Sifuna-led wing plans a rally in the coastal city after the holy month of Ramadhan.
The unity of the two decade political giant has since been grappling with internal divisions after the founding father, the late Raila Odinga died last year after divisions emerged over plans to enter into a pre-election pact with ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party as the 2027 General Election draws closer.
The party is now split between the new Party Leader Dr Oburu Oginga and Senator Edwin Sifuna, with each faction holding parallel rallies across the country. Dr Oginga is leading the Linda Ground faction, while Sifuna heads the Linda Mwananchi faction.
“I am not aware of any faction within ODM. ODM is only one ODM. If anyone calls themselves a faction of ODM, then they are not a faction; they are actually not ODM,” stated the Deputy Party Leader, when he presided over the issuance of bursaries in Changamwe by NG-CDF.
At the same time, Nassir said everyone is welcome to hold a political rally in Mombasa, but stressed that such gatherings must remain peaceful and free of violence. Past Linda Mwananchi rallies in Kitengela and Kakamega were marred by chaos and ended prematurely. The group is expected to stage a rally in Mombasa immediately after the holy month of Ramadhan ends.
“I am only going to request that they leave the teargas behind because we know the teargas is theirs. I appeal to them to leave the tear gas in Kitengela; they should not bring it to Mombasa. This is a peace haven, they should come, talk to the people, and leave our city in peace,” said Nassir.
The Deputy Party Leader also downplayed the simmering sibling rivalry and supremacy battles between UDA and ODM leaders in Mombasa, insisting there is no tension.
“These are just friendly fires. Besides, after the ODM National Delegates Conference (NDC) slated for the end of the month, it will give us a clear basis of engagement with UDA. We will decide how we are going to engage them, what the format will be, what they will do and what we will do. For now, it is just an intention, and after the NDC, we will agree on the way forward.”
By Sadik Hassan
