The Orange Democratic Movement walked a tight-rope and conducted primaries for  key seats, putting to test the use of technology in the exercise. 

Voters used laptops in the vote, which saw  Ali Hassan Mwakulonda clinch the ticket for Msambweni parliamentary seat.

Party was forced to conduct primaries after it attracted several candidates unlike in other electoral units that did not attract competition. 

Mwakulonda garnered 1,155 votes against Shee Mahmoud Abdulrahman, who came in second with 967 votes. Sharlet Mariam Akinyi emerged third with 653 votes while Charles Bilali and Bashir Kilalo become fourth and fifth positions with 255  and 129 votes respectively.

 ODM conducted the nominations through an electronic voting system.

Voters keyed in their ID numbers in a tablet for recognition before proceeding to vote by clicking on the aspirants’ photos appearing on the screen.

 After emerging the victor in an exercise marred with suspicion and controversies, Mwakulonda said he will ensure ODM reclaims the Msambweni seat  that is currently held by Feisal Bader, a key Deputy President  William Ruto supporter. 

Bader, who was fronted by Ruto, won the seat on an Independent ticket in December 2020 in a by-election that was conducted after the demise of Suleiman Dori.

 Dori won the seat in 2017 elections on an ODM ticket but since switched allegiance to Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance.

 “As we know, Msambweni is Raila’s bedroom but it has been infiltrated. I promise to restore the constituency to ODM in the August elections,” said Mwakulonda.

 Same nominations

Mwakulonda has since called on long his opponents to support him and the party going forward.

 “I want to ask those we were in competition with for the party ticket to join hands with me to deliver the seat to ODM because this is our party,” Mwakulonda added.

 In the same nominations Hassan Renge won the Pongwe/Kikoneni Ward contest, Abdallah Juma for Kinondo Ward, Omar Kitengele for Ukunda Ward and Hassan Matumizi for Gombato/Bongwe Ward.

 Kwale’s ODM line up is now complete as other positions had been filled through direct tickets. 

 For governor position, Prof Hamadi Boga was assured of a direct ticket.

Senator Issa Boy had no challenger in the party.

Nominated MCA Fatuma Masito is flying Woman Rep  ticket.