The Kwale ODM team plans to have one candidate under Azimio coalition running for governor position in a new strategy to unseat the incumbent Fatuma Achani in 2027.
Since the last general election, the ODM party in Kwale has been struggling to go back to the drawing board after their candidate lost to Achani, in what they termed a defeat with a small margin.
ODM had given the mantle to former Agricultural PS Hamadi Boga, among three other men under the Azimio coalition to battle it out with Achani.
Kwale ODM Organising secretary James Nyakiti said talks are ongoing to convince other candidates to unite against Achani.
The party intends to bring together Boga, former transport minister and current Digo spokesperson Chirau Ali Mwakwere and former KPA employee Chai Lung'anzi among other candidates who vied for governor seat in the last general election.
Nyakiti said the decision was reached after realising the three had enough votes to unseat Achani from power, after looking at the results of the 2022 governor race.
He said the party is putting in place mechanisms to ensure they seal all the loopholes to win the next election.
Nyakiti said after a thorough survey, the party realised some small mistakes that led to their loss, adding that they won't allow the same to be repeated.
He said Achani and other opponents should brace for a tough political battle because ODM is determined to take all political positions come 2027.
"It will be a bruising battle because we are not backing down until we secure all political seats from governor to MCA," he said.
Nyakiti said the party is also undergoing a major transformation in the county leadership structure to strengthen it.
He said Kwale is an ODM stronghold but lost the seats because of poor party management at the grassroots.
In the new changes, the Kwale ODM team is set to replace the current embattled party chairperson Hassan Mwanyoha with Sheikh Juma Ngao.
The ODM elections are scheduled for April with plans for drastic changes in the grassroots leadership.
ODM vice chairperson Shaban Luchesi said the leadership positions will be given to the able members to steer the party to victory.
"Change is inevitable and for the sake of the party's progress, people must sacrifice and have a new strong team and ideas onboard," he said.
Luchesi said they want to ensure they grab all the seats and restore the party's lost glory and fame in Kwale.
He said ODM wants to bring all the leaders together for a common cause.
County ODM coordinator Nicholas Zani said the party is looking forward to a clean sweep in the 2027 general election.
He said changing grassroots leadership seeks to re-energise the team and prepare it for the political battle ahead.
Zani said the efforts to make Ngao Kwale ODM chairperson is part of the plans to stabilise party grassroots leadership.
He said Ngao is fit for the position because of his long political and leadership experience.
Ngao said Kwale ODM leadership is pathetic because some individuals have made the party a family organisation.
He said the current party leadership in the region is full of unfairness, a situation that weakens it.
"Many people in Kwale ditched ODM because of party nominations scandals and poor leadership," he said.
Ngao said he intends to fill the gaps and reunite all the leaders who had earlier fallen out with the party.
He said under his leadership, he will not tolerate any injustices and will treat everyone fairly.
Ngao also assured that ODM chairperson Raila Odinga will vie for the presidential seat despite rumours that he is retiring from local politics as he eyes the AU position.
Last week, Mwanyoha however, vowed not to back down easily.
In an interview in Ukunda, he said he would defend his position until his last breath.
He slammed allegations that he is the reason behind the failure of the party, adding that he had served diligently and with great success.
Mwanyoha said ODM is still strong in Kwale because of his good leadership and mobilisation.
