Omar, Ali differences explode in latest tussle over control of UDA

Nyali Member of Parliament Mohamed Ali. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard] Sharp differences have emerged between East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Hassan Omar, and his erstwhile political ally and Nyali Member of Parliament Mohamed Ali over the management of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in Mombasa County. In the new turn of events, Omar has drifted to former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho's side and has warned President William Ruto's government not to target Joho family's business. Meanwhile, Ali has also backed Governor Abdulswamad Nassir who is Omar's political nemesis. The two politicians, who were the face of UDA in the 2022 campaigns in the county, have been trying to install members of rival groups or lineups allied to them ahead of the party's grassroots election slated for August this year. Reports also indicate intense rivalry related to ambitions by both Mr Omar and Mr Ali to vie for Mombasa governorship in 2027. The two politicians have been reported to claim to have the ear of President William Ruto, including recommendations for some of the appointments in government. Omar has been on record saying he will be the UDA Mombasa gubernatorial candidate in 2027 and is sure of wrestling the seat from Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who he termed a one-term governor. Addressing UDA members on Saturday, Mr Omar who is the party's national vice chairman, bragged how his lineup led by Mutunga Wambua and Ali Kitaka will clinch the party seats come the August grassroots election. Omar warned the party interim officials against appointing party chairmen and instead wait for the outfit's grassroots election. He expressed confidence in defeating Nassir by a big margin in 2027 on a UDA ticket, insisting that he is the most popular politician in Mombasa because of his past track record. "I have been in politics for over 30 years starting as a human rights activist, politician of repute and senator. I won with a big margin," Omar said. East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Hassan Omar. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard] But when contacted, Ali cautioned local party officials against interfering with the leadership of Mr Samir Abdalla whom he said was the party coordinator in Mombasa county. He asked Omar to stop imposing his friends on UDA in Mombasa and instead allow for free and fair grassroots polls. "I know he (Omar) wants to impose his friend Mutunga Wambua on UDA but my advice to him is to wait for the party's grassroots election in August," said Ali. The MP warned Omar against claiming he was the most popular UDA politician in the county, wondering why he was not elected as Mombasa Governor last year despite having been given support. "I was elected as Nyali MP on UDA which proves that I am more popular than any politician in the area. So those bragging to be popular should think twice," said Ali. He advised Omar against holding meetings with 'friends and family members at Kizingo in Mombasa thinking they are UDA forums. "The meetings you have been hearing taking place at Kizingo are not party meetings. They are meetings with friends and family members," said Ali. Ali said Omar, who is a former Mombasa senator, has been holding parallel meetings at Kizingo with friends and family members and that was why party top names have not been attending those meetings. "Where are the leaders like Karisa Nzai who is the political advisor of President William Ruto when such meetings are being held?" asked Ali. The legislator warned Omar against maligning the names of other leaders in his meetings and told him that if he was "man enough" he should wait for the party's grassroots election. Samira chided Omar and asked why UDA party headquarters has been coordinating the party's affairs through him. "I am the one who has been accompanying Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to various activities in the country as the representative of UDA in Mombasa," said Samira. Samira announced that UDA party Secretary General Cleophas Malala will be in Mombasa next Saturday to meet party members in preparation for the grassroots elections. "The leaders you are seeing at this high table are the ones who will be the party officials because I am sure they are popular enough to lead the party in the county," said Samira. Meanwhile, Omar dismissed those going around claiming to be party coordinators to wait for the party's grassroots election. Omar showered President Ruto with praise, saying he was the first president since independence to give Coastal people many appointments in his government. Ali, who sources intimated was also eying a gubernatorial seat come 2027, advised Omar to stop panicking. "It is too early to start panicking over who will be given the UDA party ticket to run for the gubernatorial seat in 2027," said Ali.

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Omar, Ali differences explode in latest tussle over control of UDA

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