Infighting has rocked UDA in Mombasa following vice chairman Hassan Omar’s dalliance with ODM deputy party leader Hassan Joho.
The members are split into two camps of Omar and Nyali MP Mohammed Ali.
Omar and Ali are eying the county’s governorship.
Trouble started when Omar publicly supported Joho’s bid to become ODM leader should Raila Odinga win African Union Commission chairmanship.
He said political differences between him and Joho were not personal and they are now working together for the good of Coast residents.
But political analysts say the former Mombasa Senator is creating a political network to win over residents, especially the youth, who admire Joho.
They say being close to the former governor is key for him to clinch the seat.
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali on Thursday questioned Omar’s move saying it is ‘not helpful to UDA’.
Mombasa coordinator Samir Omar said Omar’s actions were personal and not the party’s stand.
“That is not true. UDA cannot support a rival party,” he said at an Iftar dinner.
Samir and Millie Odinga accused Omar of fighting for unity with a rival party at the expense of UDA.
“How can you work with a rival party yet the party that sponsored you and in which you are a high-ranking official has problems that have not been solved?” Samir asked.
On Saturday, UDA members allied to Omar hit back at Samir saying he has no right to speak on behalf of the party.
“It is clear he is against the unity of Coast leaders being championed by Omar. The noble idea was started by President William Ruto, when he fostered a good working relationship with his political rival, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga,” Coast Development Authority director Mgandi Kalinga said.
He said Omar has the blessings of the party members, including all coordinators, former candidates and aspirants in the 2022 election.
Kalinga accused Samir of being used by Ali after Omar was installed as the party’s county chair.
“I have been a victim on the other side and I know all the theatrics on the other side,” he said.
Mutungwa Wambua, who is eying the UDA Mombasa county chairmanship position, said Omar’s dalliance with the former Mombasa governor Joho is to unite the Coastal leadership, a move that has the blessings of party leader and President William Ruto.
He said Samir and Odinga, who are allied to Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, want to create conflict where there is no conflict.
“There is no power vacuum in Mombasa. It is sad that a small boy, who does not even know how to drink porridge, is spreading propaganda against our vice chairman. Stop misguiding Mombasa youth,” Wambua said.
He said Coast leaders such as Noah Katana Ngala, Karisa Maitha, Shariff Nassir, among others have been in government before.
“Why are you bothered when the vice chair tries to bring other leaders from the cold to the government? What is your intention?” Wambua asked.
Kalinga said they only follow instructions from Omar, unless President William Ruto issues the instructionis directly.
He said this is because after the 2022 election, Omar championed for the appointment of most of them into government.
Kalinuga said Omar has also used more than Sh30 million to empower the former candidates and aspirants economically.
There are now more than 24 companies started by the former UDA aspirants and candidates that are eying government tenders.
Sheikh Abu Qatada said there is no space for bad politics in Mombasa anymore.
“Hassan Omar has been championing for coastal unity but unfortunately this has hurt some few individuals who claim to be UDA members,” he said.
“It is through this unity that we will have a strong voice that the government will listen to,” Qatada said.
Mohamed Juma, UDA Mvita subcounty coordinator and Salma Maina said it is shocking that a coast leader is against unity.
“This is selfishness of the highest order,” he said.
The two said Omar is pushing for change in Mombasa and has a long-term strategy to bring positive change.
“Our party has no boundaries. We welcome all and sundry into the party. Anybody is free to join UDA,” Maina said.
