Mombasa Governor and ODM Deputy Party Leader Abdulswamad Nassir has called on ODM officials to put aside internal disputes and rally behind the party’s candidates ahead of upcoming by-elections.
Addressing a packed town hall meeting in Mambrui, Magarini Constituency, Kilifi County, Nassir underscored the need for discipline, cohesion, and well-coordinated mobilisation, noting that ODM is facing heightened political competition in multiple regions.
He praised grassroots supporters for their steadfast loyalty and urged party leaders to intensify outreach efforts to strengthen ODM’s presence on the ground.
Nassir also issued a warning to members he accused of fuelling tension within the party.
“There are those party members who, instead of focusing on the upcoming elections, are busy issuing threats. We will deal with them accordingly,” he cautioned.
The governor said internal wrangles and personal rivalries risk weakening ODM’s influence and undermining public confidence at a critical moment.
Nassir’s remarks come as ODM continues to navigate a period of transition following the death of Party Leader Raila Amollo Odinga in mid-October.
His passing has sparked introspection within the party, with officials and supporters seeking to uphold his legacy of resilience, democracy, and justice.
Despite the emotional and political weight of this moment, ODM strongholds remain upbeat.
Local campaign teams have intensified their activities, with leaders encouraging members to approach the by-elections with renewed unity and determination.
With candidates cleared in several wards and constituencies nationwide, Nassir expressed confidence that a united ODM can secure decisive victories.
However, the party has continued to experience internal divisions since Odinga’s death.
While some members have embraced President William Ruto’s broad-based government, others have rejected this position — a split that underscores the need for reconciliation and a unified strategy as the by-election campaigns enter their final phase.
This comes even as ODM leader Oburu Oginga has warned those attempting to divide the party to wake up from the dream, saying he will not allow the party to split as the country heads to the 2027 General Election.
Oburu stated that ODM will only pursue political alignments that strengthen it, adding that attempts to weaken the party will not succeed under his watch.
“Those imagining they can break ODM — it will never happen. In my hands, ODM will not be divided,” he said.
Oburu insisted that ODM joined the broad-based government not for personal gain, but to benefit its traditional support base, especially in the Nyanza region, and that the partnership remains intact.
“Raila placed us in the broad-based government to benefit the people, not for personal interests,” he said.
