• The two leaders are jostling for roles in preparations for Raila's mega rally.
• The ODM party leader is expected to return to the coastal region this weekend.
Image: LABAN WALLOGA
A political duel is expected on Sunday as rival governor aspirants in Mombasa are set to share a podium with ODM leader Raila Odinga in the county's Tononoka grounds.
Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir are battling for the ODM party ticket ahead of the August 9 general elections.
The Star has learnt that the two leaders are jostling for roles in preparations for Raila's mega rally.
On Wednesday, Shahbal declared that he had been ‘authorized’ to join hands with Mombasa governor Hassan Joho to prepare the ground for Raila’s Sunday meeting.
“I received a call from the party headquarters in Nairobi instructing me to work with Governor Joho to plan for Baba’s (Odinga) scheduled Sunday rally at Tononoka,” said Shahbal.
He spoke after meeting with over 50 MCA aspirants spread across all the 30 wards of Mombasa at Tononoka Wesley Hall.
Shahbal promised to support them with campaign materials and branding and also facilitate their supporters to attend the rally.
“I am going to facilitate you with materials and transportation so that we paint Tononoka and Mombasa Orange on Sunday,” he said.
A number of MCA aspirants in Mombasa have also confirmed receiving calls from Nassir’s camp on Tuesday evening with the same offer.
Nassir’s camp dismissed claims that Shahbal has been tasked to organize Raila’s Mombasa meeting on Sunday.
“The meeting is being organized from Nairobi. We will also mobilize supporters for Raila’s Tononoka rally. That is an ODM affair,” said an insider within Nassir camp.
The ODM party leader is expected to return to the coastal region this weekend to lead the Azimio la Umoja Pwani tour.
Odinga is expected to hold a series of Azimio Mtaani Brigade political engagements in Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale and Taita Taveta counties.
Raila's itinerary
According to Raila’s itinerary, he will be in Kilifi on Saturday, then on Sunday, a mega rally will take place at the historic Tononoka grounds in Mombasa.
He will then proceed to Kwale on Monday before winding his four-day coastal tour in Taita Taveta County on Tuesday.
Dennis Onsarigo, the press secretary of Raila Odinga’s Presidential Campaign Secretariat, confirmed the ODM leader’s tour of the region.
ODM party Mombasa chairman Mohamed Hamisi said they are ready to receive him.
“I am aware Baba (Raila) is coming this weekend. I received a call from the Azimio secretariat. Arrangements are going on as we plan to mobilize close to 100,000 supporters on Sunday,” he said.
The scheduled Sunday’s rally at Tononoka grounds comes barely two weeks after Deputy President William Ruto toured the region to sell his ‘Bottom Up’ agenda at the coast.
Ruto led the Kenya Kwanza brigade that is made up of ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford’s Moses Wetangula and their supporters in a tour of the four counties of the coast; Taita Taveta, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa.
The DP’s tour culminated in a major rally at Tononoka grounds.