Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko's bid to succeed Hassan Joho as the next Mombasa governor continues to gain momentum after the United Democratic Movement (UDM) aspirants from Mombasa resolved to support him as their candidate.
Addressing members of the press in Mombasa on Thursday afternoon, the aspirants led by Likoni Mp aspirant Yaqub Obado said they will support Sonko since they believe he is the right candidate to bring changes and developments in the county.
Sonko is eyeing the Mombasa governor seat on a wiper ticket. Wiper party and UDM are both members of the Azimio coalition.
The aspirants also called for respect and fair treatment from bigger parties within Azimio accusing them of disrespecting and treating with contempt the small parties. They dismissed the six piece calling pattern arguing that it will key the so called small parties.
"We are all in Azimio as partners and no one is bigger than the other ,we are all equal partners, so we demand respect and equal treatment as other parties, Whenever we have rallies and other programs we should all work together as a team" said Obado.
Adding " We don't believe in six piece voting, let everyone get into the field and fight for their own space. I believe we as UDM have what it takes to deliver votes and win seats in Mombasa"
On the upcoming Azimio Tononoka rally scheduled for Saturday Obado noted '' Whether we are invited or not we will attend the Tononoka rally on Saturday because it a rally to drum support for our presidential candidate Raila Odinga. Azimio is our only house, we have no any other house."
On his part Mtopanga ward MCA aspirant Yusuf Abdulmajid Omar said they have not been forced to support Sonko but out of their will.
"No one has forced us to support Sonko, the ground has now shifted, it is not as it was earlier. It is our right to support Sonko and I would like to tell his rivals to brace themselves for a tough battle." said Omar.
Adding "Politics is about interest, we will walk with the person who will cater for our interest. The others have been discriminating us".
UDM has a total of 10 aspirants in Mombasa, one Mp aspirant and nine MCA aspirants.
