ODM leader Raila Odinga yesterday told his supporters in the Coast region to vote for party candidates from ward level to the  presidency in the General-Election.

 Speaking during the issuance of nomination certificates to Coast ODM aspirants at Treasury Square, Raila called on aspirants who lost in the nominations to back the winners.

 “There is no need to disrespect those who lost in the nominations because we are all part of ODM and either way everyone adds value. You have demonstrated the zeal and willpower in your participation. The fight ahead of us is the real fight and we need to stay put,” said Raila adding the nominations had demonstrated his party’s strength in the region.

 Noting that the Standard Gauge Railway was planned during the Grand Coalition Government in which he was the Prime Minister, Raila promised to ensure the project brings a valuable impact on the lives of Coast residents in his first three months in government.

 Raila said his government will upgrade the Port of Mombasa to world-class standards if he wins the August election.

 “We are the ones who planned the SGR. Within the first three months of my administration, you will see the fruits of the SGR. We also have mega plans for the port of Mombasa and the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone. We want to convert Mombasa into the largest economic hub in the region whereby flights and investors from Nigeria, DRC, South Africa and the rest of the World will be coming directly to Mombasa instead of Dubai. We want to uplift the dignity of Mombasa,” Raila said, and promised more job opportunities for residents.

 The Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate hailed Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal for agreeing to drop out of the Mombasa ODM governor contest in favour of Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, saying it was a demonstration of humility.

 “I want to thank Shahbal for accepting to work with Nassir. I want to assure him that we will work with him in national politics,” Raila said.

 The ODM leader witnessed the issuance of nomination certificates to a number of party candidates in the Coast including Nassir (Mombasa governor), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi governor), Dhadho Godhana (Tana River governor), Hamadi Boga (Kwale governor) and Thomas Mwakwida (Taita Taveta).

Friendly fire

Others were parliamentary candidates Said Abdalla (Nyali), William Kamoti (Rabai), Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), Amiona Mnyazi (Malindi), Christopher Mwambingu (Mwatate), Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Soud Machele (Mvita), Mishi Mboko (Likoni) and Hassan Mwakulonda (Msambweni).

 Governor Hassan Joho said the improvement of the Port of Mombasa will be given priority if Raila wins the presidency in the August 9 General Election.

 Nassir said the differences between him and Shahbal before the party primaries was only “friendly fire” and told his rivals to prepare for a bigger showdown in the General Election.

 “I want all of us to applaud Shahbal for accepting the outcome of the race. What we are going to witness is a contest like no other. What we witnessed was just a friendly fire,” said Nassir

 Tana River Governor Dhadho Godhana said this time round Raila is assured of more than 90 per cent of the votes in the county since ODM had now joined hands with Jubilee.