President William Ruto’s UDA party is in a high-stakes battle for dominance in Mombasa County.
Seasoned political operator and current Vice Chairman of the party, Hassan Omar Sarai, is trying to quell brewing tensions within his camp ahead of the June 22 grassroots elections.
The coveted office of Mombasa Governor lies at the heart of this power struggle, coveted by both Omar and his ambitious counterpart, former journalist turned politician Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, alias ‘Moha Jicho Pevu’.
This internal strife threatens to tear UDA apart, making the political landscape in Mombasa County a volatile battleground.
Omar is now determined to reclaim his lost glory in the next electoral cycle after tasting defeat in the gubernatorial race against Abdulswammad Nassir ODM, but formidable opposition from within his own ranks, most notably Ali, who accuses Omar of diverting campaign funds for personal gain and sabotaging the party’s electoral prospects, threatens his aspirations.
Stakes could not be higher against this backdrop of intra-party discord, as the UDA’s foothold in the ODM-dominated county hangs in the balance.
The outcome of this internal power struggle will determine the future development of the party.
As Omar seeks to consolidate his support base, he is allying himself with key political players such as Ali Kitaka and Wambua Mutungwa, leveraging their influence to bolster his political standing.
The family of the late Salim Kuuza, who lost the Bofu MCA seat in the 2022 general elections, hosted Omar at Mvumoni in Bofu Ward, Likoni.
Four camps are fighting to control the UDA party in Mombasa. One is Omar, who reportedly has support from the State House.
There is also the case of MP Ali; the third case involves presidential adviser Karisa Nzai; and, finally, nominated senator Miraj Abdillahi.
According to reports, the nominated senator is gradually approaching Omar’s camp.
According to reports, Omar has a close relationship with Aharub Khatri of ODM, the speaker of Mombasa County and a close friend of former governor Ali Joho.
Malala was present at a UDA delegation meeting in Mombasa last year when chaos broke out during a clash between Omar and Ali’s supporters.
As the countdown to the June 22 elections draws near, tensions are simmering beneath the surface and threatening to erupt into open conflict.
A dramatic showdown between Omar and Ali, both vying for the governor’s seat, will determine the future of UDA in Mombasa County and beyond.