-
The Matuga MP said Raila's tour to the county was full of provocation since he concentrated on insulting Kwale leaders instead of his agenda.
- Chiforomodo said that since President William Ruto took over, Kwale has seen a massive transformation.
Image: SHABAN OMAR
Kenya Kwanza politicians in Kwale county have launched a drive to counter ODM leader Raila Odinga's recent forays.
The counter-campaigns come barely two weeks after Raila pitched camp at the coast to popularise his party.
Led by Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza, the leaders said ODM has lost popularity in the region and Raila's visit will not bear fruits.
He said Raila is being misled by some few leaders.
"Raila lost grip of the coastal counties long ago and his popularity is history," Tandaza said.
He said by 2027, Raila will be alone since the remaining ODM members in Kwale have already shown interest of joining Kenya Kwanza.
Tandaza said they are in the process of destroying and paralysing ODM in Kwale by recruiting ODM foot soldiers.
He said the results of the last general election are enough proof that Raila's popularity has diminished.
The MP condemned Raila for insulting Kwale leaders during his tour instead of selling his agenda.
Activists and leaders last week protested against Raila for insinuating that Governor Fatuma Achani was in a relationship with former governor Salim Mvurya.
However, in a circulated video clip, Raila is not heard anywhere mentioning the governor.
"...unafuatana na huyo mama na ni bibi ya Mvurya," Raila said in the video.
"We had a little respect for the ODM leader, but since his tour is over, we have embarked on a journey of completely uprooting his party in Kwale," Tandaza said.
Msambweni MP Feisal Bader promised a tough battle for the ODM leader.
He referred to the ODM as a desert which is not a conducive host people.
"We will not take our people to a desert to die. Kenya Kwanza is full of goodies and that is where we will ask Kwale residents to go," Bader said.
Bader said the party suffered a major blow in the 2020 Msambweni by-election and was hurt more in the August 2022 general election.
In the by-election, Bader, who vied on an independent ticket, beat ODM's Omar Boga.
He said he is now in Kenya Kwanza will bring more leaders and residents to embrace the bottom-up economic agenda.
Lunga-Lunga MP Mangale Chiforomodo said the Kwale people are in love with Kenya Kwanza and Raila was wasting time and resources.
He said Raila's agendas are tired and not marketable anymore.
Chiforomodo said since President William Ruto took over, Kwale has seen a massive transformation.
He said they will not advise people to follow Raila, who has never initiated any development project in the region in his entire political career.
The MP urged politicians to consider respect other leaders and shun abusive politics.
"When you insult a leader, know that you have dragged in the residents because they voted for that particular leader," Chiforomodo said.
During Raila's visit to Kwale, Senator Issa Boy and Woman Representative Fatuma Masito apologised to the ODM chair for partially being disloyal to the party.
The two were accused of selling the Kenya Kwanza agendas, allegations that they both denied.