Ali vs. Omar: UDA Epic Battle for Mombasa Governor, 2027
A former journalist versus an experienced human rights advocate. Both are now knee-deep in the murky world of politics, circling one another like two wounded lions vying for territory.
And they have detected the odor of blood. East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) representative Hassan Omar and Nyali MP Mohamed Ali have their sights set on the Mombasa gubernatorial seat. There can be only one victor.
Their United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has been torn in two and a half months of vicious conflict, and their respective supporters are eager for a fight.
Mr. Ali, a former journalist of “Jicho Pevu” fame, accuses Mr. Omar, a former Kenya National Human Rights Commission commissioner and national vice-chairman of the UDA, of mismanaging the party’s gubernatorial campaigns last year.
Mr. Omar lost the seat to Mr. Abdulswammad Nassir of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with 98,105 votes to Mr. Nassir’s 119,083 votes, despite receiving substantial financial and political support from, among others, Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Authority chairman Ali Mbogo, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, and Kenya Maritime Authority chairman Hamisi Mwagia.
Mr. Sonko withdrew from the Mombasa race after the High Court denied his request to overturn the revocation of his clearance. Mr. Mbogo, a Kisauni parliamentarian, was his running mate.
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Mr. Omar believes he can defeat Mr. Nassir in 2027. Mr. Ali, a party colleague, and bitter rival, stands in his way.
“We performed well in the recent elections. I was on the ballot because I received 44% of the vote. Another individual asserts that he is the one who delivered the votes. Instead of assisting us, you mistreat us. What have we achieved? What have I done wrong? On June 17, Mr. Omar, visibly agitated, posed to Mr. Ali.
Mr. Ali has accused Mr. Omar of using campaign funds to finance his endeavors, thereby costing the party the election.
When Mr. Omar launched a grass-roots campaign to strengthen UDA locally and reward party loyalists, their disagreements began. Mr. Omar has reportedly rewarded UDA election losers with millions of shillings.
Mr. Ali, who accuses Mr. Omar of being ungrateful, asserts that he was the one who introduced the Eala member of parliament to the UDA party leader, President William Ruto.
“I recruited him for UDA, but he is abusing his authority. We will instruct him accordingly. The President has not instructed him to use his position to intimidate people, said the MR of Nyali. Mr. Ali asserted that Mr. Omar is unpopular with the populace.
Mr. Omar, for his part, requested that Mr. Ali cease inciting individuals against him.
“Stop propagating falsehoods in the media. You cannot compete with me politically. I was born in Mombasa, so I am familiar with the city, he said.
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Mr. Omar asserted that Mr. Ali intends to appoint his ally as a UDA official without holding party elections.
“Party elections are mandatory,” he said last Saturday after his supporters clashed with those of his opponents during an aborted UDA delegates meeting in which police fired tear gas to disperse unruly youths.
When Mr. Omar launched a grass-roots campaign to strengthen UDA locally and reward party loyalists, their disagreements began. Mr. Omar has reportedly rewarded UDA election losers with millions of shillings.
Mr. Ali, who accuses Mr. Omar of being ungrateful, asserts that he was the one who introduced the Eala member of parliament to the UDA party leader, President William Ruto.
“I recruited him for UDA, but he is abusing his authority. We will instruct him accordingly. The President has not instructed him to use his position to intimidate people, said the MR of Nyali. Mr. Ali asserted that Mr. Omar is unpopular with the populace. Mr. Omar, for his part, requested that Mr. Ali cease inciting individuals against him.
“Stop propagating falsehoods in the media. You cannot compete with me politically. I was born in Mombasa, so I am familiar with the city, he said.
Mr. Omar asserted that Mr. Ali intends to appoint his ally as a UDA official without holding party elections.
“Party elections are mandatory,” he said last Saturday after his supporters clashed with those of his opponents during an aborted UDA delegates meeting in which police fired tear gas to disperse unruly youths.
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“I urge unity and a reduction in political tensions. “The time will come for politics, and wananchi will decide,” he said.
UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala also took to Facebook to express his dismay at Saturday’s turn of events, adding, “The UDA party remains committed to bringing the two warring factions together.”
Ali vs. Omar: UDA Epic Battle for Mombasa Governor, 2027
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