Betrayed and Ignored- Coastal UDA Leaders Protest Over Alleged Neglect in Favor of ODM
Tensions are growing within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as leaders from the coastal region raised concerns on Sunday, accusing the party of sidelining them in favor of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
During protests held in Mombasa’s central business district, the officials stated that despite their loyalty, ODM was getting more attention in government decisions. They felt that their efforts and support were being overlooked while ODM was prioritized in key discussions and agreements.
The officials also expressed disappointment over President William Ruto’s unfulfilled promises. They noted that many commitments he made had yet to be accomplished, raising fears that if the situation continued, UDA could lose a significant number of supporters in the upcoming general elections.
Additionally, the leaders voiced concerns over Ruto’s growing political alliance with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. They emphasized that while working together was acceptable, it should not come at the expense of UDA members who had supported Ruto from the beginning.
They urged the President to concentrate on strengthening the party at the grassroots level instead of making alliances that weaken its foundation. They also called for immediate action on major issues like unemployment, warning that if the government focused only on political appointments, it would push away the youth struggling with joblessness and economic hardships.
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“We are glad that the President has chosen to work with Raila Odinga, but we want this partnership to be about serving the citizens rather than just handing out government positions like CSs and PSs,” said Sammir Abdala Omar, UDA’s County Coordinator in Mombasa.
The leaders also complained that whenever Ruto visits Mombasa, they are often excluded from event planning while ODM officials take the lead. They criticized Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, accusing him of favoring ODM members during state functions attended by the President.
“As a Cabinet Secretary, you were appointed to serve the entire country. You should represent all of us fairly. When the President visits Mombasa, favoritism should not be allowed,” an official stated.
These concerns come at a time when Ruto appears to be seeking a closer working relationship with Odinga, particularly after Odinga’s unsuccessful bid for the African Union Commission chairpersonship.
Meanwhile, Odinga has also shown interest in collaborating with Ruto, although he mentioned that he would consult his party members before making a final decision. On Sunday, he was in Mombasa, where he was hosted by Governor Abdulswammad Nassir. During his visit, he urged the government to address critical national issues, including the ongoing confusion in the healthcare sector.
Betrayed and Ignored- Coastal UDA Leaders Protest Over Alleged Neglect in Favor of ODM
