- Mboko said Nassir is in ODM to stay and is committed to the party’s agenda.
- There have been murmurs that the ODM Governor could be on his way to UDA due to his dalliance with President William Ruto.
Image: JOHN CHESOLI
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir is not gravitating to UDA, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko has said.
Mboko has said Nassir is in ODM to stay and is committed to the party’s agenda.
There have been murmurs that the ODM Governor could be on his way to UDA due to his dalliance with President William Ruto.
On almost all occasions that Ruto has been at the Coast region, Nassir has been an ever-present figure.
The murmurs were amplified after he was conspicuously absent in all the anti-government demonstrations organized by Azimio in Mombasa in July.
“I want to clear all the doubts today for those who have been talking on social media and with hushed tones that Abdulswamad wants to ditch the ODM. Abdulswamad is in ODM to stay,” Mboko said at the Bomu Stadium in Changamwe.
President Ruto's growing association with Azimio-allied governors and MPs has triggered concerns in opposition chief Raila Odinga's camp.
There are fears that Ruto could again raid opposition governors and make more inroads in opposition zones, especially Coast, Western and Lower Eastern.
Already, Ruto has snatched tens of MPs from Raila's Azimio coalition with several political parties – including Jubilee – switching camp to Kenya Kwanza
This has made Raila and his troops uncomfortable, leading to the Azimio coalition including “respect of political parties in line with the Constitution” as one of the agendas to be discussed in the planned second round of talks with the Kenya Kwanza team.
Mboko however said the governor “is with Baba side by side. Everything he does is in consultation with Raila”.
Nassir, who graced the launch of the issuance of National Government Affirmative Action Fund cheques to 28 women groups by Mombasa county woman representative Zamzam Mohamed, steered clear of the matter.
He however said unity in Mombasa is key for the county’s development.
“You see we have all come here together because of the voice of the people. Changamwe issues affect Mvita MP and the same issues affect the Likoni MP.
“The same way when we go to Mvita, Likoni and Jomvu it will affect MPs from other constituencies like Nyali, Kisauni and Changamwe,” Nassir said.
The governor called for unity despite the political and ideological differences that exist among politicians.
“Our unity is our strength. Our voice is the one that will take us forward,” Nassir proclaimed.
“We may have political differences. We may have ideological differences. But goals should be for these people in front of us.”
In April, during the annual Eid Baraza in Mombasa, Nassir said his political allegiance still lies with ODM but will not sacrifice the development of Mombasa at the altar of antagonistic politics.
“I give you freedom. Every one of you should have the right to follow whoever they want politically,” said Nassir at the Eid Baraza.
He, however, cautioned that the side they choose should not lead to the detriment of Mombasa.
“Political differences should not make us fall because after four years, what face will I have when I come to you?” Nassir asked.