How Mombasa ODM MPs tilted consensus results

ODM Mombasa county secretary Geoffrey Busaka / BRIAN OTIENO

ODM Mombasa county secretary general Geoffrey Busaka and chairman Mohamed “Dee” Khamis / BRIAN OTIENO

THE outcome of the recent ODM consensus in Mombasa was the work of area MPs, who serve as patrons of the party’s sub-county branches.

According to confidential sources, the consensus was based not on communities but on the interests of branches, with each constituency allocated at least one leadership slot to ensure inclusivity. However, the process has left some members disgruntled, demanding a repeat of the exercise.

ODM deputy party leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has called for a meeting on Tuesday to ease rising tensions. Among those protesting is Victor Abayo, who vied for the secretary general position but lost to incumbent Geoffrey Busaka.

Abayo dismissed reports that he had been given a seat in the 20-member county executive committee of the party. “I am not interested in anything short of SG. Kindly, stop spreading fake news,” he wrote on Facebook.

Busaka retained the secretary post after being supported by Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba. The process also saw Moses Aran alias “Civilizer” miss the organising secretary seat since his constituency, Mvita, had already produced the county chairman, Mohamed “Dee” Khamis.

Civilizer later accepted the decision, saying he respected the party’s choice. “Sometimes the party has its dynamics and it is bigger than individuals,” Dee said, acknowledging Civilizer’s service to the party.

The allocation of posts saw Changamwe get the treasurer slot filled by Bwajuma Twalib, while Likoni’s Peter Odhiambo was picked as organising secretary. Senator Mohamed Faki nominated Hamza Kombo as youth leader, while Woman Representative Zamzam Mohamed chose nominated MCA Milka Areba as women’s leader.

Nyali got the persons with disability leader slot, filled by nominated MCA Solomon Ngugi, while Jomvu settled for the vice chairperson seat through Maimuna Mwamassa.

ODM county elections coordinating committee chairperson Mwaka Zahoro defended the process, saying it followed grassroots elections that began at polling station level last November. She argued Abayo had no delegates behind him, having not participated at the earlier stages.

“This party has to show inclusivity and diversity. We cannot say we oppose tribalism and then fill all positions with one group,” chairman Dee said, insisting ODM remains strong in Mombasa despite the fallout.