By Reporter
Tough political battle is expected as United Democratic Movement party appoints former Kwale sports Executive Ramadhan Masudi Bungale as the party national secretary general.
The party said the move is to strengthen the party in Kwale and the entire coastal region and to gain popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Bungale, the appointment will set the pace for awareness and massive party recruitment for a major political battle.
“The 2027 general elections will be a through pass because by then we would have recruited everyone into the party and secured all the political seats,” he said.
Bungale said his appointment is history as the last time Kwale had a party secretary general was in 1979 during the KANU error.
He said his selection is a sign of respect and love for Kwale and the entire coastal people.
The newly appointed Secretary-General said the role chosen for him is pivotal to the party’s operations and is very humbled to hold such a position.
Bungale said to reciprocate the gesture, he will ensure that the party gains roots and becomes one of the strongest parties in the country.
He said in a few weeks to come the party will commence mass registration exercise for party popularization and bring people together to join UDM and use it as the vehicle to seek leadership in the next general election.
Bungale said UDM values equity and has higher respect than any other political party.
He said the party embraces partnership and work with anyone for the betterment of Kenyan citizens.
At the moment UDM is in the Kenya Kwanza coalition and falls second in popularity and fifth nationally.
Countrywide, the party has two governors, 11 members of parliament, and 64 MCAs drawn across the country.
In Kwale UDM is boasting of having one member of the national assembly Mangale Chiforomodo,(Lunga-Lunga MP), one elected and two nominated NCAA.
Bungale termed UDM as a development party and place to be for all Kenyans adding that everyone is treated as equals and resources and leadership are distributed fairly.
He vowed to work tirelessly in close partnership with party leadership and members to grow the party and enhance popularization and sell its ideologies.
Through UDM party press statement read by a member Yakub Obado at Kwale Baraza Park in Matuga, said Bungale is the right person for the position because of his education and political experience.
Bungale served as Sports and Talent Management CEC for two consecutive terms and resigned to vie for the Matuga parliamentary seat on a UDM ticket but lost to Kasim Sawa Tandaza, the current MP.
“Having worked in the county and the coastal region at very high and notable positions, Bungale brings in some value propositions the party requires to spread its wings,” said Obado.
He said that Bungale has a vast understanding of the region and dynamics that will help rally the county and the country behind UDM.
Obado said Bungale’s appointment marks the beginning of a serious positive change in the party.
He said that UDM is looking forward to partnering with anyone who shares the party’s vision and direction in the leadership processes.
Chiforomodo said it is a great honour for UDM to appoint a person from Kwale to help with the governance of the party’s affairs.
“We want or extend our heartfelt gratitude to the party leader Ali Roba and the entire UDM leadership through the National Executive Committee of our party. The Kwale team appreciates the fact that the national team is bestowed to one of us,” he said.
The MP said the appointment of Bungale marks a key step in introducing and popularizing the party to the people of Kwale and the coastal region.
He urged residents to support the party’s course and register as members in large numbers to meet the targeted goals and development.
Chiforomodo said for the time being they will work with any political leaders regardless of their different party ideologies. Still, when the campaign period kicks in, they will show no mercy.
He said it would be a battle for titans as UDM would have attained more soldiers to emerge victorious in the quest for political seats and popularity.
Nominated MCA Rachael Mutisya urged locals in the area to register as member of UDM as a way of popularising the party.
Two weeks ago ODM leader Raila Odinga pitched camp in the coastal region in a party mass recruitment drive.
Raila also declared to maintain the grip of the coastal region and Kwale adding that it is and will remain to be ODM stronghold.
President William Ruto is also expected to tour the county to launch various projects and sell the bottom-up agenda and way forward.
