Some ODM members in Mombasa have urged deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir to ensure free and fair grassroots polls on November 27.
The members, allied to former Tudor MCA Tobias Samba, cautioned against favoritism. Samba is eying the county’s chairperson’s position.
“We thank our former party leader Raila Odinga for bringing new leadership. But we ask the new leadership to ensure ODM goes back to being the strongest party it was by ensuring we set a good example in these elections across the 47 counties,” John Gichana, a life member of ODM, said.
He said not many people know the polls date and asked the party to do more aggressive sensitisation. “We have seen there are loopholes in the leadership of the party in Mombasa and our party has not done any polls since 2013.
That is why we are asking the current party leadership in Mombasa to exit and give room for fresh ideas,” Gichana said. He spoke on Monday after a meeting at Leisure village in Nyali constituency.
Gichana urged current county leaders to aspire for bigger seats nationally and let fresh faces lead Mombasa. “We would like new blood to come into the party’s county leadership and seal the loopholes that other parties have taken advantage of to reduce our popularity in Mombasa,” he said.
Samba said the last time ODM held its grassroots elections was in 2013 and the November 27 polls herald a new beginning.
“That is why we have named our group Team Fresh. Some of the county leaders have stayed in the offices for so long they think they own the offices,” the former Tudor MCA said.
He said all vibrant parties across the globe hold frequent elections to ensure fresh ideas from new leaders. “In Mombasa there is always the fear of the unknown. There are reports that separate lists are made during grassroots polls to favour losers. We want assurance from the deputy party leader that this will not happen,” Samba said.
He said they are prepared for any method the party will use to elect new officials. “We want to competitively face each other.
Individuals should not lock themselves in a room and come up with a list of their preferred candidates,” Samba said.
Caroline Nzioka urged women members to come out in numbers and vote. Mwanamkuu Ali, a life member, called on Nassir to strengthen the party by listening to the voice of members.
“Anybody elected through the members’ vote should be given the mantle to lead. Let there not be the usual money business that has seen elected people shortchanged,” said Brigadier Michael.
On September 4, the ODM National Elections Coordinating Committee chaired by Emily Awita announced that there will be elections of thirty party officials from the three committees at each polling centre.
The three committees include the mainstream, women league and youth league. The mainstream elections will include positions of chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, organising secretary, treasurer, women leader, youth leader and three committee members.
These also apply for the women league and youth league committee.
ODM had initially scheduled
the polls for April but had to postpone them citing heavy rains that
wreaked havoc in several parts of
the country. UDA will hold its polls
next year.