The Mombasa County Assembly has been split into two with a section of MCAs aligning themselves to Mvita legislature Abdulswamad Nassir and others going to businessman-cum-politician Suleiman Shahbal's camp.
The two political bigwigs have in the last week been meeting the MCAs in a bid to woo their support in their race to succeed Joho.
The seat seems to have remained a two horse race between Shahbal and Nassir both of whom are ready to use all resources, avenues and influence to capture the seat.
The two will battle it out in the ODM nominations an issue that has split the county assembly into two halves as the party enjoys majority in the assembly with 27 out of 30 elected MCAs and all the 12 nominated ones.
On August 6, Shahbal held a meeting with the 21 MCAs in what he called as a consultative meeting between leaders to discuss matters pertaining to taking stalk of Mombasa’s economy and how to rebuild it.
Suleiman Shahbal posing for a photo with a section of Mombasa MCAs after a 'consultative' meeting
“Our meeting was pegged on how we can work together to better the economy and the lives of our people,” said Shahbal.
Shahbal added that the meeting was not political noting it was important for leaders to share ideas stating since no leader has the monopoly of vision.
“I think that it is important for any leader to seek the opinion of everyone and we have agreed that if I call them they will come and listen, even my opponent is free to call them,” said Shahbal.
"I have had a meeting with Shahbal and I know his vision and plan for our county. I will not change my stand on this " said Old Town MCA Amur Murfad, during the presentation of a sponsorhip cheque to Iqra youth group by the Suleiman Shahbal foundation on Sunday.
Adding " He has a plan and that's why he has managed to sponspor 1.2 million out of his pocket. For the first time we have a leader who consults with grassroots leaders. He wants to bring sh 50 million to the wards"
In the same week, Nassir hosted about 20 MCAs led by deputy speaker Fadhili Makarani and nominated ODM youth Representative Moses Aran alias Civiliser for a consultative meeting in a Mombasa hotel.
Mvita Mp Abdulswamad Nassir meeting a section of Mombasa MCAs
Nassir did not stop there, he also held a closed door meeting with sub-county coordinators on Sunday that the media was barred from covering.
Nassir’s meeting with the coordinators is raising questions on whether the ODM leadership in Mombasa is favouring Nassir over Shahbal.
According to a source, the administrators had been earlier warned against attending the meeting only for them to be given a go ahead on the last minute.
The political sphere in Mombasa continues to take shape as MCAs position themselves to reap big from desperate gubernatorial candidates racing to get their support and endorsement.
