The ODM party in Mombasa is expected to elect party officials at the grass-root level in two weeks-time in a move expected to streamline the party activities in Mombasa.

This was revealed by ODM Mombasa branch chair Mohamed Hamid on Tuesday morning as he welcomed the ODM national election board chaired by Catherine Mumo who are on an official visit in the county.

The meeting was also attended by other ODM officials and members of parliament from the county. The Mps present were Badi Twalib (Jomvu), senator Mohammed Faki. Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe) and Women representative Asha 'Ashu' Mohammed

While addressing the media, Hamid stated that they were ready for the exercise while exuding confidence in the set guidelines as outlined by the board in electing the party’s grass-root officials.

“We have  had a meeting with the board today and received the party register for the county and the guidelines of how best to conduct the exercise, I want to assure the board that we have faith in them and we will strive to adhere to the set guidelines they have given us,” said Hamid.

Hamid added that Mombasa was still an ODM zone saying that more people were coming in to register in the party after the party membership registration exercise was extended to December 31, 2021.

The ODM elections board chair Catherine Muma, said that the extension was given because of the covid-19 pandemic that affected party activities and such the need to give party members more time to prepare party structures within their counties.

“We issued a notice back in March extending the exercise to allow party members have enough time to prepare well for the party elections, we want to have proper structures from the polling station up to the county level,” said Mumo.

The board has been traversing counties and Mombasa was number 38 in their county visits as they prepare to head to Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana counties before winding up the exercise with Nyanza and western region counties next week.

Mumo added that they party had agreed to use consensus as a means of electing the party’s grass-root officials since the covid-19 protocols outlined by the ministry banned political gatherings and meetings.

“We have opted for members to use consensus to elect their grass-root officials, it is the best way during this time of the pandemic and is acceptable by law, that is why we have brought the party register to ensure that all those who will participate are ODM registered members,” said Mumo.

She further expressed her satisfaction with ODM Mombasa branch noting that their house was in order because there were no factions or any kind of fighting they witnessed during their visit.

On Monday, Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir led a brigade of ODM legislators from Mombasa in his Majengo Backyard to drum up support for his 2022 gubernatorial bid.

Nassir was accompanied by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, Senator Mohammed Faki and Mombasa County Women Representative Asha 'Ashu'  Mohammed who all endorsed his candidature.

The MP accused his opponents of trying to create a rift between him and senator Faki by spreading false reports that he had opted out of the governorship race and instead focused his eyes on unseating Faki in 2022.

“I want to assure you that my vote and that of my people come 2022 will be for senator Faki come 2022, ignore those peddling lies that I am out of the governor’s race,” said Nassir as he addressed a crown in Majengo.

The senator on his side stated that Nassir was the best person suited to be the next Mombasa governor saying that Nassir has been tried and tested and has proven beyond doubt that he will protect county resources.

“We have seen how he has been defending our national resources in the National Assembly, we are confident that our county resources will be protected under his able leadership,” said Faki.

His sentiments were echoed by Jomvu MP Badi Twalib who called on the youth to turn out in large numbers and register as voters.

Badi further bashed those who were scolding him for endorsing Nassir saying that he had no regrets about it and that he did not fear anyone or anything as he stands with his decision.

“If people see I was wrong to endorse him, I want to repeat it here today that me and my Jomvu people will support Nassir for governor come 2022, I will not be intimidated.

Mombasa woman representative Asha Mohammed said that they were ready to take the seat with Nassir to better the lives of women, youth and all Mombasa people by ensuring that money gets to the grass-roots.

"We want the seat to now come to Mvita and our choice is none other than Abdulswmad Nassir" said Asha.