Mombasa ward representatives leave ODM for Wiper

More than 10 ward representatives in Mombasa have defected from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to the Wiper Democratic Movement.

The county assembly members (MCAs) said they left the party because they were unhappy with its county leaders.

This is a big blow to its leader Raila Odinga as Mombasa is an ODM stronghold and as all the MCAs in the county were elected on the party's tickets.

Some of the MCAs who confirmed the defection include Duncan Onyango (Mikindani), Jabess Mudhai (Kongowea), Enock Mwinga (Mwakirunge), Khamisi Mwabashiri (Mjambere) and Riziki Fundi (Bamburi).

Others said they wished not to be named until they held a press conference, but they confirmed to the Nation they had decamped.

Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Thadius Rajwahi and three nominated MCAs are also said to have left ODM.

“We tried having audience with our party leader Raila Odinga, but he refused to listen to our pleas. Some people like Mohammed Hatimy, a nominated MCA, are planting aspirants in all wards. We won’t allow it. Mr Rajwai is with us in this journey and more will decamp,” Mr Onyango said.

Mr Mudhai said he joined Wiper because it practices “democracy” and is not engaged in “hero-worshiping”.

Mr Mwabashiri, Mr Onyango and Mr Mwinga were speaking during a voter sensitisation drive in Kizingo.

They said they decided to defect due to Governor Ali Hassan Joho’s “poor leadership style” and declared support for Senator Hassan Omar, who wants to vie for the governor’s seat in the August elections.

Mr Omar welcomed the defectors and declared his support, saying he would walk with them.

However, Mr Hatimy, ODM's Mombasa chairman, said the politicians had left the party because they had not delivered.

“We are not shaken, it is constitutional right for anyone to join or leave a party. Hatimy does not run elections,” he said by phone.