Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga has praised Mvita MP Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir and his Likoni counterpart Mishi Mboko terming them as his lieutenants in the parliament.

While he was quick to point out that he was not favouring anyone, Raila who was addressing coastal elders at the Sheikh Khalifa Hall in Mombasa on Sunday, December 19, lauded the two MPs for doing a good job in the parliament. 

“Hawa note ni wanajeshi wangu katika bunge. Mishi mnamwona hapo, mnaona Abdul Swamad hapo; wamefanya kazi yao vilivyo katika bunge lakini mimi kama kiongozi wa chama kuna maneno siwezi sema hapa. Watu watasema Raila amependelea pande hii au ile, uamuzi ni wenyu,” Raila said. 

During his Mombasa tour, Raila met over 10,000 elders drawn from Mvita, Changamwe, Likoni, Jomvu, Nyali, and Nyali Sub-Counties who endorsed him for the country’s top seat.

In his response, Raila told the elders that the coast region has unique challenges that need expert handling to be solved. 

“This is a region blessed with many natural resources. We want the people of the Coast to benefit from them and build their economy and that of the country”, he said.

Raila further promised to solve the issue of squatters once and for all if elected President after Uhuru Kenyatta’s term in office. 

“If elected president to succeed him (Uhuru). I will pick from where he would have left to ensure the people of this region suffer no more. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure all Kenyans live a good life and share the national cake equally,” he added.