UDF pointman joins CORD ahead of primaries

By  Philip Mwakio and Patrick Beja

Suleiman Shahbal says he has joined right team to ensure that alliance forms the next government

The United Democratic Forum (UDF) Coast point man Suleiman Shahbal has joined forces with CORD aspirants in a bid to oust Hassan Joho and Ramadhan Kajembe during nominations.

Mr Shahbal addressed a political rally convened by CORD aspirants at the Khadija Primary School grounds in Mombasa at the weekend.

The rally was convened by Nyali parliamentary aspirant Hezron Awiti Bolo, Changamwe Wiper parliamentary aspirant Philip Ndolo, Wiper gubernatorial aspirant Abdalla Mwaruwa and ODM senator aspirant Hassan Omar.

Shahbal, who is seeking the Mombasa gubernatorial position, hit out at the current Mombasa leadership over poor infrastructure and low education standards.

“I am here as a friend of ODM and Wiper parties, ready to work with Mr Mwaruwa to change Mombasa. I will support him if he wins and I hope he will do the same to me,” Shahbal said.

However when contacted, Joho said he welcomed the move by politicians who wished to join the CORD Alliance to fight for political seats.

“I welcome the move by aspirants to fight for the top job but my interest in Mombasa is to help all our friends and enemies join the CORD coalition,” he said.

This was Shahbal’s second time to move closer to CORD after privately meeting Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the last Idd baraza in Mombasa.

The aspirants have come together to oust local political heavyweights Joho and Kajembe, who are ODM national organising secretary and national vice-chairman.

Omar will face off with Kajembe for the senate seat ticket in the primaries scheduled for January 17 and Mwaruwa will challenge Joho for Mombasa governor seat on the CORD ticket.

Buying Voters

“We are ready for a tough battle and we believe we are the right team to ensure that CORD forms the next government,” Omar said at the rally.

He took a swipe at their opponents whom he said were bragging that they could splash money to “buy” voters allegiance during and after the CORD nominations.

Also in attendance at the Changamwe rally was one of Mombasa’s longest serving civic leaders, Ms Margaret Olang’, who has entered the fray to be Mombasa County Women representative, women activist Ms Afia Rama, who is also seeking the women representative seat and Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association (MCTA) executive officer and ODM Mombasa county secretary, Ms Millie Odhiambo, who wants the Mombasa county deputy governor position.

Ms Odhiambo will face it off with Ms Obutu Osoro of Wiper party.