The Orange democratic Movement ODM party has suffered a blow after a section of Mombasa county assembly contestants who lost in the just concluded party nominations declared to vie Independently in the August polls.

The party is now suffering mass exodus after losers vowed not to support winners in the nomination, a move likely to deal a blow to the party ahead of August 9 polls.

Among them is nominated county assembly member Moses Aran who lost to the current sitting MCA Tobias Samba in the Tudor ward seat nomination contest.

Aran vents his anger towards the ODM party over how they conducted the party primaries, terming them a sham and now feels betrayed.

His candidature as an independent candidate now puts party supporters at crossroads on whether to support the candidate with the party ticket or support him as an independent candidate.

"The people of Tudor want a change, they feel betrayed and believe that the independent elctoral and boundaries Comission IEBC will be most transparent and credible organization," said Aran.

Aran says the decision to run independent was reached after thorough soul searching and consultation from the electorates of Tudor ward.

ODM had asked losers of the nomination to support winners so as to avert mass exodus in the party.

"I am obliged to listen to the people of Tudor who have shown great faith in me to represent them, they braved the scorching sun and long queues only to be subjected to a sham process that circumvented their will, "said Aran.

Ali Shomari who lost in the Magogoni is now contesting as an independent candidate for the Magogoni ward representative seat.

On his part, reknown human rights activist Mathias Shipeta also expressed his interest for the Mikindani county assembly seat after losing his nomination slot in the ODM primaries.

"I thank God I have been cleared to run as an independent candidate, Mungu Mbele, it's not over till it's over," said Shipeta.

Earlier, Shipeta had told his supporters of his plans to pursue legal action.

"I want to thank all my supporters for participating in the nomination process full of electoral malpractices, voter bribery and double voting. We shall persue all legal means necessary as enshrined in our constitution. I want to reiterate that lts not over utill it's over. l was born a fighter and we shall fight till the end. Thank you. Shipeta Mathias." he said.

Others are Dorothy Juma from Junda ward who is also going as Independent candidate in the elections, meaning that the party she represented will have to lose her supporters.

Milka Areba,who lost to Patrick Mbelle in the Bamburi ward representative nomination seat has opted to stay out of the race.

“I will continue to serve my party of choice (ODM) with the same zeal and propel it’s ideals as before. I live to fight another day”. Said Areba

The Orange Democratic Movement ODM party leadership in Mombasa had cancelled nomination tickets for three wards after the nomination process was marred with Chaos.

Mtopanga, Magogoni, Kongowea wards tickets were cancelled after voters are said to have disrupted the voting process during nominations. This means that ODM party may consider a repeat of the nomination polls.