VDP’s Joshua Sango [L], Awiti Bolo [C] and Konde Saburi [R] in Mombasa on Wednesday / BRIAN OTIENO
VDP’s Joshua Sango [2nd L], Awiti Bolo [C] and Konde Saburi [2nd R] in Mombasa on Wednesday / BRIAN OTIENO
Vibrant Democratic Party officials Joshua Sango [2nd L], Awiti Bolo [C] and Konde Saburi [2nd R] in Mombasa on Wednesday / BRIAN OTIENO
Vibrant Democratic Party (VDP) will field candidates for elective seats across the country in the 2027 general election, its leader Awiti Bolo has said.
Bolo said the party is positioning itself as an alternative political force and will contest all available seats.
He said the party was preparing early for the polls and was keen to fill what he described as a political vacuum left by ODM. Awiti ditched ODM after he fell out with its leadership at the Coast.
"Although the elections are still relatively far away, almost 14 months from today, we are preparing to fill the void left by my former party," Bolo said. He claimed to have been among the founding members of ODM.
Speaking after a meeting with officials from various political parties on Wednesday, the former Nyali MP said VDP was open to working with like-minded political parties to restore hope among Kenyans.
He argued that ODM had long been the political home for many Kenyans but claimed the party had lost direction following the death of its leader, Raila Odinga, last year.
He said the party is divided into rival factions, each claiming to champion Raila's vision. Bolo said ODM was gradually being absorbed by UDA, prompting some of its supporters to seek alternative parties.
He said VDP intends to offer that alternative while promoting national unity and inclusive politics.
He warned Mombasa leaders against exploiting tribal, religious or racial divisions during election campaigns.
"In Mombasa, we fought against the divisions between natives and non-natives, and we won because today the county is relatively united. We will not sit back and watch anyone divide Mombasa along tribal, religious or racial lines," he said.
He also criticised service delivery in the county, saying VDP would hold the county leadership accountable.
"Mombasa belongs to everyone, and there should be no discrimination in service delivery or in any other form," Bolo said.
Although he declined to confirm whether VDP would field a candidate for Mombasa governorship, Bolo said the party will actively campaign for peace, arguing that stability is essential for economic growth and development.
"We have started a major campaign against anything or anyone that seeks to disrupt the peace that has enabled businesses to thrive," he said.
VDP acting secretary-general Konde Saburi said the party had been assessing the direction of governance in Mombasa and believed residents deserved better leadership.
"Mombasa deserves better service," Saburi said.
Party member Joshua Sango alleged that residents experience prolonged water shortages despite paying high bills, creating opportunities for private water vendors to exploit consumers.
He also claimed that some water vendors were linked to individuals working within the county government or those close to county officials.
Sango also criticised waste management in the county, claiming delayed garbage collection had exposed residents to unhygienic conditions despite households paying waste collection charges.
He further alleged that several sewer bursts, including those near KFA along Jomo Kenyatta Avenue and around the Regency Hotel between Moi Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue, have not been repaired for extended periods, creating conditions that encourage mosquito breeding and increase the risk of diseases such as chikungunya and dengue fever.
