ODM plans coast rallies to neutralize emerging Jubilee influence
Governors allied to ODM in Coast are to visit all the region’s counties to drum up support for party leader Raila Odinga presidential candidature.
The visit is also aimed at trying to wipe out any gains by Jubilee Party following President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto whirlwind tour which ended on Monday.
Governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Amason Kingi (Taita Taveta) and John Mruttu are to hold a series of rallies in Taita Taveta County from Thursday.
President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto were in Taita Taveta last Saturday where they launched a number of projects and vouched for Jubilee. The duo had earlier visited Lamu and Kilifi counties.
JUBILEE REAPED BIG
On Sunday and Monday, the top JP leaders campaigned in Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi.
JP reaped big during the tour as a number of opposition leaders led by Senators Dan Mwazo and Ali Bule, Woman representatives Halima Ware, Joyce Lay, MP Peter Shehe and Governor Hussein Dado defected to the party.
Mr Mwazo is eyeing the Taita Taveta governor’s seat while Ms Lay wants to be senator.
In Taita Taveta, the ODM leaders will address supporters at Taveta, Wundanyi and Mwatate towns before finalizing their rally at Voi stage.
TONONOKA RALLY
The leaders are also set to visit Kilifi, Lamu,Tana River and Kwale before holding a major rally at Tononoka grounds in Mombasa on March 26.
Taita Taveta county director of communication Samuel Mutie said ODM leaders including Homa Bay woman representative Gladys Wanga, her Mombasa counterpart Mishi Mboko and Suna East MP Junet Mohammed who is also ODM director of elections will address locals.
“More opposition leaders are expected attend the events, but as of today (Tuesday) Mr Mohamed, Ms Wanga and Ms Mboko had confirmed they will attend the rallies,” he said.
Bomani MCA Crispus Tondoo said the Jubilee Party tour of the region was a waste of time and resources.
“This region is still an ODM zone. Someone should tell President Kenyatta and his Deputy Ruto that no amount of politics will change the residents’ mindset,” he said.
The MCA, who is also Taveta County Assembly Deputy Speaker, said Jubilee has failed to address key issues affecting the residents.
JUBILEE INROADS
He dismissed claims that the ruling party has made inroads in the region.
“They do not enjoy any support in the region that is why they ferried people from Taveta and other regions to attend their rally in Voi. What does that mean?” he posed.
The MCA claimed Jubilee used 69 buses to ferry supporters to the Voi stadium.
“We shall show them that ODM is still alive in this region. We will use the opportunity to say things as they are and set the record straight,” he said, adding that those who had defected to the ruling party had done so for their personal interests.
He told Jubilee to brace for a big loss on August 8 general election since the residents were tired of their leadership.
