By Reporter
The national chairperson of the Kenya Muslim National Advisory Council (Kemnac) Sheikh Juma Ngao, has declared interest in Kwale County ODM party elections, scheduled for April.
Ngao wants to unseat former Matuga MP Hassan Mwanyoha from the chairperson position.
Ngao, who hails from Kinango county, but has spent most of his time in Mombasa, said he also understands Kwale politics.
In an interview in Ukunda, Ngao said working outside his home county doesn’t make him a stranger and will always be a Kwale citizen.
“My entire family comes from Kinango, I am also a Kwale voter and working in Mombasa is not an issue and those opposing it should stop petty politics,” he said.
He said Kwale is a cosmopolitan county and that tribal politics won’t work adding anyone can vie for any positions.
The Kemnac chair said that leaders will be elected based on merits and not on tribal alignments.
Ngao said he is going for the seat because the current Kwale ODM party leadership is in limbo due to poor leadership.
He said that the ODM party in the region has suffered many losses because of disunity among members.
Ngao said unfairness in party nominations is what made the ODM party in Kwale lose popularity since the most influential members had to ditch the party due to injustices.
He said leaders like former Kwale Governor and the current Mining CS Salim Mvurya and Governor Fatuma Achani left ODM because of unfairness practised by a few selfish individuals within the party.
Ngao said in his leadership, it won’t be business as usual as he is looking forward to weeding out all the moles, bringing unity and restoring the ODM lost glory in Kwale.
He said it is such a shame that Kwale is an ODM stronghold but couldn’t secure all the political seats.
According to Ngao, ODM has only five MCAs, some of which were nominated in Kwale.
“Apart from senator and woman rep, we don’t have any other ODM MPs. The MCA numbers plummeted from 20 to five. That is unacceptable,” he said.
Ngao said there is a need for new leadership and insights to push forward the agenda of the party and that of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
According to Ngao, Mwanyoha has stayed for 15 years as the Kwale ODM chair contrary to the constitution.
Ngao said it is time for a fresh start with new visionary and energetic leaders to take over.
Mwanyoha, however, has vowed to defend his seat adding he is the best candidate for the position.
He said that he has fought hard for the party and brought a lot of changes under his leadership.
Mwanyoya termed himself as the beacon of hope and refuted claims that his leadership was crumbling and full of unfairness.
“The party is still popular in Kwale because of me, I have sacrificed a lot and I am willing to do more for the love of this party and that of Raila,” he said.
Mwanyoha said Raila has the most support in Kwale because of his good leadership at the county level.
However, Ngao insisted that change is inevitable and it is time for the old chairperson to step aside and let others who can transform the party.
Ngai said he wants to strengthen the party at the grassroots level for ODM and Raila’s success ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Sheikh assured that the ODM party in Kwale will accommodate everyone onboard as opposed to now where a few people have made it as a home affairs organization.
Ngao also slammed down the allegations that Raila has retired from local politics.
He said Raila declaring interest in the AU commission job doesn’t insinuate that he won’t vie for the presidency in 2027.
“Raila has and will not abandon you. He will come back to do politics and vie for the presidency when politics period kicks in,” he said.
At the same time, Ngao scolded the Supreme Court over the judgement it ruled last year on matters of inheritance by children born out of wedlock.
He said the court interfered with the Islamic shariah and that Chief Kadhi was constitutionally mandated to deal with such cases.
Ngao strongly condemned the act and urged Chief Justice Martha Koome and President William Ruto to ensure that the law is followed to the latter.
The Kemnac chair also hailed the Kenya Kwanza government for supporting Raila in the AU job.
He said the support is clear proof that they believe in Raila’s leadership and that gives hope for the ODM’s leader’s quest for the presidency.
Kwale ODM party coordinator Nicholus Zani added that Ngao is the right person for the chairperson position.
He said with him, a lot of development can be achieved because he is experienced in matters of politics and managerial skills.
Zani said they have launched the party recruitment drive in a bid to register more members and increase ODM’s popularity at the grassroots level.
He said Kwale will remain an ODM stronghold adding that in the last general election, the Azimio coalition had more votes than that of the Kenya Kwanza.
Zani said in 2022 Raila got 70 percent votes and Ruto 28 per cent while in the gubernatorial UDA’s governor Fatuma Achani got 59, 000 votes and Azimio candidates had over 120, 000 votes when combined.
Ends
