Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has hit back at Mombasa leaders who have been attacking him over his bid to become ODM deputy party leader.
Nassir said his name sells and that is why every politician in Mombasa rides on it.
“Many feel they cannot sell their own policies and names without mentioning Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir. Every day it's Abdulswamad Nassir,” the governor said.
He spoke on Tuesday at Ziwa la Ng’ombe ward in Nyali constituency where he was on a tour to launch road projects.
Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi has been the most vocal against Nassir, castigating the governor over his alleged failure to manage the county.
Mwinyi last Thursday said Nassir should not even dream of becoming the ODM deputy party leader, adding that he has no capacity to unite people.
“My Mombasa governor wants that seat. As Omar Mwinyi, I do not hate him, but he cannot be. Why? Because in Mombasa, three quarters of the leaders have a problem with him,” Mwinyi said.
On Tuesday, Nassir said he would not be drawn into a war of words with other leaders, adding that he would let his work speak louder.
Nassir’s style has not been abrasive and he prefers to keep off political confrontation.
He said his style is work and not words.
“I will never insult any politician or leader. Therein lies the difference between me and them,” he said.
“If it is politics, we will come back and talk politics at the right time.”
However, he had a jibe at his critics, saying he will always want the best for them.
“Now, I ask them to come so that I can give them healthy and nutritious foods so they can, together with their wives, give birth to children and name them Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir,” Nassir said.
The governor is said to be keen on the ODM deputy party leader position left vacant by his predecessor Hassan Joho, who has been named the Mining and Blue Economy CS in President William Ruto’s Cabinet.
Nassir is fighting it out with his Kilifi counterpart Gideon Mung’aro and Mombasa county assembly speaker Aharub Khatri, who stature in ODM is growing because of his massive mobilisation capabilities.
On Monday, some youth in Kilifi county endorsed Nassir for the position saying he is untainted by any scandal, unlike the other candidates.
“We as Kilifi residents will perhaps fight for this seat some other time, but for now, we would like it to go to the Mombasa governor,” the youth said.
They said the Kilifi leadership has failed to create job opportunities for them and thus cannot be added more responsibilities which will overwhelm the leadership.
Political observers in Mombasa say Nassir has increased his camaraderie with CS Joho owing to his influence in local politics.
When Joho was nominated CS, Nassir and Mvita MP Mohammed Machele flew to Nairobi to celebrate the news with him and then flew back to Mombasa together the next day in a show of solidarity.
On Wednesday evening, he also flew to Nairobi as he met ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna in his office and also to show solidarity with Joho as he was sworn into office at State House Nairobi.
