Leaders at the coast elected under the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) have vowed to stick to the party’s ideologies despite pressure to join the Kenya Kwanza government.

Led by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamand Nassir, they said they would remain loyal to ODM. But Nassir said he would work with the government of the day. He asked leaders under the ODM party to deliver development without bias.

“We are in ODM to stay; the party’s ideologies are very clear. But that does not mean we cannot work with the government because we will be judged by what we do for our people,” he said.

Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi said they should not be judged for meeting with President William Ruto when he tours the region for development programmes.

He said he attended the President’s meetings out of protocol, as nobody forced him to do so.

Not be swayed

“Let him not forget that we are politicians. He should not interfere with our freedoms. Our leaders at the coast should stick to the party’s ideologies and not be swayed,” said Omar Mwinyi.

Mwinyi, however, said the party’s strength in the region was under threat, and thus asked the party leader to convene a series of meetings to affirm his commitment to uniting the party.

Their sentiments came after some governors and Members of Parliament from the ODM party were seen accompanying the President in his latest tour of the coast, sparking concerns over their party loyalty.

Despite the move, ODM leader Raila Odinga defended Azimio governors who are working with Kenya Kwanza administration, saying he has given them permission while cautioning them not to be turned into beggars.  “If a governor goes to a meeting of the President, they are there with the blessings of the party. They should not be seen as planning to defect,” said Raila.