Political realignments within ODM in Mombasa are beginning to emerge as early succession politics gather momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Although formal campaigns have yet to begin, growing signs point to quiet competition among aspirants and shifting alliances within the party's local structures.
The simmering tensions came into focus during International Widows’ Day commemorations in Mombasa, where Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohamed alleged that some party members were trying to frustrate her political ambitions and influence the party's nomination process.
She dismissed claims that she could be denied the ODM ticket, saying, “There is no intimidation. Someone is saying they will not give me the party certificate. Whether there is a certificate or not, I am already inside.”
Zamzam insisted that leadership should be judged by performance rather than party endorsements, stating, “Women, are you looking at certificates or performance?” She also invoked the late ODM leader Raila Odinga, saying, “I want to say here that my father, the late Raila Odinga, told women to hold my hand, me Zamzam.”
Emphasising resilience, she said, “I have no fight with anyone. You can never know the strength of a woman; it is like a tea bag placed in hot water, that is, when you see its true colour.”
She also addressed ODM's county leadership, stating, “There is an ODM party chairman whom I respect greatly because he recognises the work I do. Mohammed Khamis alias Dee, you and your team continue running the party; let us not break ODM.”
Political attention is increasingly focused on the Mombasa Woman Representative seat and the county gubernatorial race, both of which are shaping early positioning within ODM. The governorship is currently held by Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir, who also serves as the party's Deputy Leader.
Meanwhile, Mombasa Speaker Aharub Khatri weighed in on the growing political exchanges, questioning the reaction to his perceived ambitions. “Why are people looking for a seat and then resorting to insults? And why are you even talking about me?” he said, adding, “I have not said I want any seat. So why are you panicking?”
He further questioned the early political tension surrounding his name, stating, “If I have not declared interest in anything, why are you getting worked up? Are they afraid of me?” Aharub also criticised aspects of local leadership, saying, “I come to remind people of their rights. Some leaders are used to intimidating others. I saw one instance in Mwakirunge where women were made to sit down and were being lectured, which really disturbed me.”
ODM's Mombasa branch, led by county chairman Mohamed Khamis, is expected to oversee the party's nomination process as internal positioning continues to signal an increasingly competitive political environment ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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