Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro congratulated his Mombasa counterpart Abdulswamad Nassir after he was nominated to be one of the deputy party leaders in the ODM party.

In a statement on Friday, August 9, 2024, Mung’aro remarked that he was pleased with the milestone, urging Abdulswamad to ensure the development of the coastal counties.

“I am sincerely pleased to hear about the appointment of my good friend and brother, Mombasa Governor H.E Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, as the Deputy Party Leader of ODM. I extend my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to him. Together, let us concentrate on enhancing the development of our coastal counties for the benefit of our citizens. As the chairman of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani, I offer my heartfelt congratulations once more,” Mung’aro noted in a statement.

His statements were preceded by those of ODM party leader Raila Odinga who equally congratulated the three proposed deputy leaders of the mammoth opposition party.

“Congratulations to our proposed new officials,” Raila stated while posing for a group photo with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad, Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Vihiga senator Godfrey Osotsi who were proposed to be deputy party leaders of ODM.

Abdulswamad’s competitors

Three names at the coast had been floated in the run-up to the ODM’s central committee meeting whose conclusion recommended the appointment of Abdulswamad.

The three were Mombasa County assembly speaker Aharub Khatri, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and Mombasa’s Abdulswamad.

Earlier on, a section of Members of the County Assembly of Mombasa suggested that the governor was unfit to hold the position of deputy party leader after ODM failed to capture the Mvita constituency seat in the 2022 polls.

The current Mvita MP Mohamed Machele who ran on a UDA ticket in Abdulswamad’s stronghold and won has since congratulated the governor.

“Congratulations Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir on your nomination as Deputy Party Leader of ODM,” Machele said on X.

In the changes, ODM also recommended to its National Executive Committee (NEC) to consider the proposal of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga as the National Chairperson deputized by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo and Turkana South MP John Ariko.

The party also proposed Kisumu Woman Rep Ruth Odinga to be the Deputy Organising Secretary, Kisumu West MP Rosah Buyu to be the secretary for political affairs, Migori County CEC Rahab Robi as secretary of publicity and information and Kajiado East MP Kakuta Maimai as the secretary for special programmes and social welfare.