Omar, Ali differ on UDA control in Mombasa

In a recent development, Omar has switched to Hassan Joho’s side and advised President William Ruto’s administration not to pursue the Joho family’s business. Ali has also backed Governor Abdulswamad Nassir , a political rival of Omar.
Prior to the party’s grassroots election, which is scheduled for August of this year, the two politicians, who served as the face of UDA throughout the 2022 campaigns in the county, have been attempting to install members of opposing parties or lineups connected to them.
Intense rivalry between Mr. Omar and Mr. Ali is also reported to be tied to their intentions to run for Mombasa governor in 2027.
According to reports, the two lawmakers assert that they have President William Ruto’s ear and can make recommendations for some of the government’s selections.
Omar has stated that he plans to run for governor of Mombasa as the UDA candidate in 2027 and is confident that he would unseat Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, whom he has described as a one-term leader.
Speaking to UDA members on Saturday, Mr. Omar, the party’s national vice chairman, boasted that his team, which includes Ali Kitaka and Mutunga Wambua, will win the party’s seats in the grassroots election in August.
Omar advised the party’s interim authorities to postpone selecting party chairmen in favor of waiting for the group’s general election.
On a UDA ticket, he claimed confidence in crushing Nassir by a wide margin in 2027 and insisted that his track record makes him the most well-liked politician in Mombasa.
“I have been involved in politics for over 30 years, beginning as a senator, reputable politician, and human rights activist. I triumphed by a wide margin,” Omar stated.
However, when reached, Ali warned local party officials not to meddle with Mr. Samir Abdalla’s leadership, whom he claimed to be the party coordinator in Mombasa.
Nyali Member of Parliament Mohamed Ali./Courtesy
He urged Omar to permit free and impartial local elections rather than putting his friends on UDA in Mombasa.
“I understand that Omar wants to force his friend Mutunga Wambua onto UDA, but I advised him to hold off until the party’s grassroots election in August.” Ali said.
The MP questioned why, despite receiving support, Omar was not elected as Mombasa Governor last year and cautioned Omar against asserting that he was the most well-liked UDA politician in the county.
“I was elected as the Nyali MP on UDA, demonstrating my superior popularity over all other local politicians. So people boasting about their popularity have to think twice,” added Ali.
He cautioned Omar against attending gatherings with “friends and family” in Kizingo in Mombasa under the impression that they were UDA forums.
“The gatherings at Kizingo that you have been hearing about are not gatherings of parties. They involve gatherings with friends and family,” according to Ali.
Ali asserted that the absence of party leaders from such sessions was due to Omar, a former Mombasa senator, holding parallel meetings at Kizingo with friends and family.
Ali questioned, “Where are the leaders like Karisa Nzai, who serves as President William Ruto’s political advisor, when such meetings are being held?”
Omar was cautioned by the lawmaker not to disparage other party leaders in his meetings and advised to wait until the party’s primary election if he was “man enough” to do so.
Omar was reprimanded by Samira, who questioned the UDA party headquarters’ decision to direct party business through him.
“I am the one who has been accompanying Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to various activities in the country as the representative of UDA in Mombasa,” Samira stated.
Cleophas Malala, secretary general of the UDA party, will visit Mombasa the following Saturday to meet with party members in advance of the local elections, according to Samira.
“The party officials will be the leaders you see at this high table,” according to Samira, who is confident in their ability to garner enough support to serve as the party’s county chair.
Omar told individuals circulating who claimed to be party coordinators to hold off until the party’s primary election. He heaped President Ruto with accolades, claiming that he was the first leader since independence to offer numerous appointments to coastal residents in his administration.
Ali counseled Omar to calm down. According to insiders, Ali was also considering running for governor in 2027. “It’s too soon to start worrying about who will receive the UDA party ticket to run for governor in 2027,” said Ali.
The Standard