Mombasa UDA members unhappy with their ODM counterparts

Some UDA members in Mombasa have expressed concern over being sidelined by ODM, despite the two parties signing a pact to work together in the broad-based government.

President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga signed a coalition agreement on March 7 at the KICC.

Since then, Mombasa county, widely an ODM zone, has enjoyed goodies from the government.

Led by Mohamed Hisham, the UDA members said they do not feel like they are in government anymore and ODM is seemingly enjoying the perks more than them.

Hisham said ODM members in government have not been vocal in defending President Ruto, which he claimed paints the Head of State in a negative light.

“The broad-based government was to bring new hope to citizens and changes that would be felt at the grassroots level by all and sundry,” he said.

“However, things are not as envisaged. Our President has been forced to climb daisies to defend his government while others whose party was accommodated at the table are busy mudslinging him."

Hisham singled out ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna over his attacks on the government despite his presence at the coalition signing ceremony.

He said it is a shame for the President to appear in public defending his government, yet his acquired foot soldiers are silent.

“The President, in his wisdom and mercy, saw it fit to include the opposition in his government for peace and harmony. But today, the same opposition is slapping him in the face by hurling insults at him,” Hisham said.

“All the arrows and spears are directed at the President with no one to defend and protect him. He is forced to fight the battle alone. It is a shame,” the UDA member said.

Joyce Obengele, another UDA member, said Ruto’s decision to invite ODM to the government was wise.

She said it is unfortunate that the same guests who were invited to the party are now the ones wreaking havoc.

“We expected them to join hands with our President and help him bring the country together in peace and harmony. However, we are seeing some of them like Sifuna becoming that black sheep in the family,” Obengele said.

She said the government is working hard to ensure all citizens enjoy state services and women and youth in the grassroots are empowered.

“Behave in government. Be a government officer. Do what is expected of you,” she said.

The UDA members feel it is time to re-evaluate the decision to bring ODM into government.

Mildred Odinga said UDA women in Mombasa are unhappy because they have not gained much.

“Even when a man marries a second wife, he should remember that it is the first wife who first made the man a father. He cannot and should not forget the first wife,” Odinga said.

“The first wife is the main wife. The second wife can either break the family of mend it. It is 50/50 with her."

She said UDA is losing popularity in Mombasa because of the ‘second wife’.