- In 2017 ODM swept all the parliamentary seats, the senate, governor and women MP seats.
- The county assembly of Kilifi has 53 members out of which 42 are from ODM.
Image: ELIAS YAA
The Orange Democratic Movement led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been the dominant political party in Kilifi county since 2007.
In the 2007 General Election, the party captured three out of the then five parliamentary seats in the region.
Magarini, Malindi and Bahari were won by ODM candidates while Kaloleni was won by PNU and Ganze went to Kadu Asili.
In 2013, ODM scooped four parliamentary seats out of the now seven constituencies. The party also won the governorship, Woman Representative position and that of the senator.
Though the other three parliamentary seats were not won on the ODM ticket, the seats went to the Federal Party of Kenya (Ganze) and Kadu Asili (Kaloleni) which were allied to the Coalition of Reforms and Democracy.
Raila ran for president on the ODM ticket under the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy in 2013.
It’s only Magarini that elected a candidate on the URP ticket under the Jubilee Alliance.
In 2017, ODM swept all the parliamentary seats, that of the senate, governor and Woman Rep.
The county assembly of Kilifi has 53 members out of which 42 are from the ODM party.
In the three elections, the political influence of Raila has been evident despite numerous calls for the region to form its own political party.
However, politicians often elected through parties allied to Raila later ditch them after they take oath of office.
Most of those who seek re-election on a different party have often failed to recapture their seats.
ODM Kilifi county acting chairman Teddy Mwambire said the trend exhibits the greed and dishonesty in Kilifi leaders.
On Monday, Mwambire who took over the helm of the party leadership in Kilifi after Governor Amason Kingi, urged leaders and party members to remain loyal to the outfit.
“ODM is, without doubt, the most preferred party in Kilifi and the Coast region. The success of this party has not been a one-man show but the teamwork of dedicated leaders. We can differ in opinion but not on the popularity of ODM,” Mwambire said.
The MP claimed those behind the clamour to form another partyt for the region are the most insincere.
“After the 2017 General Election, there was a deliberate move to water down the grip of ODM in Kilifi. Immediately after the election, the county offices were closed down. The party has been operating without an office. No member recruitment has been conducted. Some leaders were eager to strangle the party’s foothold. We are now resuscitating the party and it will go back to where it was,” Mwambire said.
He said an office will be opened within three months.
Kilifi county assembly majority leader Adamson Kadenge said it was a tall order to make ODM unpopular in Kilifi.
“ODM is not about individuals but ideologies. We have built this party and it is here to stay. Those who think they can walk out on the party and cripple it, they should think twice. ODM is here to stay and it is the most preferred party. Those calling ODM names are selfish leaders,” he said.
Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo castigated those opposed to the party saying they are what they are today because of ODM.
Madzayo asked those opposed to the party to prepare to go home in 2022.
The Monday meeting was attended by Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, Rabai MP William Kamoti, Kilifi Women MP Getrude Mbeyu and MCAs.
-Edited by SKanyara