• In 2013, there were 15 aspirants for the seat, which was won by the Wiper party’s Hezron Awiti.
• In 2017, it attracted nine aspirants. Ali won on an independent ticket.
Image: BRIAN OTIENO
Once again, Nyali constituency is attracting a host of hopefuls eyeing the MP seat, whose incumbent Mohammed Ali is speculated to be interested in succeeding Abdulswamad Nassir as Mombasa governor.
The political arena in Mombasa county is experiencing increased activities due to former Governor Hassan Joho’s nomination to the Cabinet and former Senator Hassan Omar’s elevation as the UDA party secretary general.
Nyali has traditionally not only attracted the highest number of hopefuls in general elections but also the highest number of political greenhorns, who venture into the murky waters of politics for the first time.
In 2013, there were 15 aspirants for the seat, which was won by the Wiper party’s Hezron Awiti.
In 2017, it attracted nine aspirants. Ali won on an independent ticket.
In 2022, it attracted eight candidates.
For the 2027 general election, seven people have either expressed interest or have been mentioned as having an interest in the seat.
In UDA, businessman Abdikadir Dekow, political strategist Abdulswamad Ali and former Mkomani MCA hopeful Gladys Chepkorir have thrown their hats into the ring.
In ODM, perennial candidate Said ‘Saido’ Abdalla, former political adviser in the office of the Prime Minister Maj (rtd) Idris Abdirahman and Kadzandani MCA Fatma Kushe have expressed interest.
Alfayo Nelson of Alfayo Nelson Foundation has also expressed desire to represent the Nyali constituents in Parliament.
Of the seven, Dekow and Alfayo are the new entrants into politics.
Abdulswamad, a former journalist-turned-businessman, has been in the political world but working behind the scenes for major political players in the county including EALA MPs Suleiman Shahbal and now Hassan Omar.
This time round, he wants to be the face of Nyali politics and has been prominent in Omar’s campaigns since 2022.
Abdulswamad has shown political acumen but has been reluctant to venture into elective politics.
“It was the same this time also. But now he has been pushed to the limit and has accepted the call. But he is yet to declare. I think he is waiting for the right time,” an insider in the HOH (Hassan Omar Hassan) campaign secretariat revealed to the Star.
Nyali is the second most populous subcounty in Mombasa county and has the second highest number of registered voters.
As at the 2022 elections, it had 124,253 registered voters, only behind Kisauni with 135,276.
Mvita comes third with 118,974 registered voters, followed by Likoni (94,764), Changamwe (93,561) and Jomvu (75,085).
But why is Nyali always attracting many candidates?
Political observers say Nyali is seen as an open market with its cosmopolitan nature attractive to different candidates.
However, two major factors have come into play.
The upcountry vote bloc, especially the Luo community, is prominent in Nyali and is always active in politics, thus providing an attractive number for politicians.
And then there is the native Mijikenda and Swahili communities who make up the numbers but rarely vote according to their numbers.
“If you watch keenly, there is the Somali community that is fast coming up with businesses and population in Nyali,” said Mwakuja Mrombo, a political analyst in Mombasa.
“Most of the businesses in Nyali are now owned by Somali community members who always support each other."
There is an estate in Nyali now called Mogadishu, because of their numbers just as there is an area called Kisumu Ndogo because of the large number of Luo community members.
Another factor is the Kongowea Market, which provides a huge constituency for politicians.
Most of the businessmen in the market are from the Kikuyu community and tapping into their numbers would provide one with an advantage over competitors.
The potential exit of MP Ali into a higher office also makes Nyali a free for all battle front.
Image: BRIAN OTIENO