All set for Raila, Mudavadi Coastal region rallies

By LINAH BENYAWA and PATRICK BEJA

Orange Democratic Movement and United Democratic Forum teams were yesterday putting final touches on preparations for rallies by their party leaders in the coastal region this weekend.

Organisers of the ODM rally put up pro-Prime Minister Raila Odinga’ banners across Malindi, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa where he enjoys the support of Fisheries Minister Amason Kingi, Assistant ministers Ali Hassan Joho and Ramadhan Kajembe and MPs Benedict Gunda, Omar Zonga, Mwalimu Masoud Mwahima and Gedion Munga’ro.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi was expected in Mombasa yesterday afternoon and was to meet MPs and supporters at Travellers Beach Hotel in Mombasa.

The date of Raila’s arrival, however, remained a closely guarded secret.

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Mudavadi is will also hold roadshows in the city today before addressing a public rally at Tononoka Grounds tomorrow.

Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed, who flew into the coastal city yesterday ahead Mudavadi’s arrival, said the party’s campaign message to the Coastal people was addressing marginalisation.

However, ODM’s Vice National Chairman and Changamwe MP Ramadhan Kajembe, who is among those leading preparations for the PM’s visit, said Mudavadi’s planned tour was a waste of time as Mombasa is an ODM zone.

“Mombasa is an ODM zone and will remain to be so. We want to show that ODM is very strong. That is why we are calling for peace and we are against any violence,” said Kajembe.

The Standard On Standard Saturday also learnt that Mr James Ongwae, who head’s the PM’s presidential bid secretariat, was also in Mombasa to coordinate arrangements for Raila’s expected visit.

Kajembe said 50 ODM MPs would attend the PM’s road shows and public meetings in the Coastal region’s four counties, which will culminate in a rally at Likoni tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Coast Deputy PPO Jacinta Kinyua said yesterday she has enough security personnel to prevent any incidents of violence.