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ODM leader Raila Odinga has moved to calm growing tension between Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir and businessman Suleiman Shahbal.
Both leaders are angling for the ODM ticket to vie for the Mombasa Governor position in August.
However, the growing tension between the two is threatening to tear apart the orange party, which enjoys massive support in the county.
At the tail end of the Azimio La Umoja rally at Tononoka ground on Sunday, Raila called the two leaders to the podium and lifted both their hands saying they are all ODM members and should not let their competition break the party.
“We do not want to see these small fights between your supporters,” Raila told the two.
Raila, keen to avoid a fallout after ODM primaries set for April, said each leader should support the other should any of them win in the primaries.
“ODM is one,” Raila said. He then shook each leader’s hands.
However, the two did not shake hands, with their body language showing they are not ready to embrace each other.
At the rally, supporters were strategically positioned at the Tononoka ground long before the leaders arrived. Tension was almost palpable.
Shahbal supporters, dressed in black t-shirts with the slogan 'Change is Coming' emblazoned at the back, and black beret-like caps, were dotted all over the crowd.
Nassir’s supporters, dressed in orange and black t-shirts, were strategically positioned on the outskirts.
ODM Mombasa chair Mohamed ‘Dee’ Khamis had on Friday warned against using youth to heckle rival leaders.
However, the two leaders could not resist cheeky jabs at each other.
Rival supporters vigorously held placards of their preferred leaders as their perceived rivals spoke.
Shahbal, who spoke first, said: “I ask you Mombasa, are you ready for change? Do not be cheated by some leaders. Do not forget it is Baba’s meeting, don’t bring chaos.”
He said Raila’s proposed Sh6,000 social protection programme is similar to his proposed Sh50 million social protection programme for each ward in Mombasa.
He said he will take over from Joho, whom he said has done a good job in Mombasa.
“We ask you, Baba, to hold our son’s hand at the top there so that he also becomes president after you,” Shahbal said.
In a rejoinder, Nassir said he knows and respects it is Baba’s meeting, daring Shahbal to organise another meeting and invite him for a political showdown.
“Even the few people who are here, they will have their day,” Nassir said in a cheeky reference to perceived Shahbal supporters.
Raila has been keen to avoid endorsing any candidate in Mombasa.
It is the second time he has refused to show any support for either Shahbal or Nassir.
Last July, Raila repulsed pressure from ODM loyalists to endorse Nassir for Mombasa governor.
“I am a father to all. The governorship decision is yours. You will decide who will become governor,” Raila told the cheering crowd at Treasury Square in Mombasa.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
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