UDA vice chair Hassan Omar is taking proactive steps to prevent a potential rift within his camp in Mombasa County ahead of the June 22 grassroots elections. Given the ruling party’s recent progress in the traditionally ODM-dominated county, any internal discord could undermine the party’s efforts and weaken its position.
Ali Kitaka and Wambua Mutungwa, both businessmen and politicians, are among the aspirants eyeing the UDA Mombasa County chair position, and they are also allies of Omar. To avoid division within the party, Omar has urged them to come to a consensus on who will pursue the position.
During a gathering in Mvumoni, Bofu ward, Likoni, where he handed over a newly constructed house to the family of the late Salim Kuuza, who contested for the Bofu MCA seat in the 2022 elections, Omar emphasized the need for a decision by Thursday to determine the way forward.
While Omar called for mutual agreement, Kitaka asserted his desire to contest for the position, implying a potential conflict within the group.
“My brother has had the torch shined on him because he has somewhere he can harvest. Let us also get somewhere so we can at least be on an equal pedestal. That is what social justice is,” Kitaka said.
He was referring to Mutungwa’s position as a director at the Kenya Pipeline Company board.
But Mutungwa said he is ready to do whatever Omar asks, throwing the ball back to the former senator.
“We are lucky we have a boss who loves us equally and does not show bias towards anyone. As a loyal servant, I await his word,” he said.
The UDA party in Mombasa is currently divided into four factions, each led by prominent figures such as Hassan Omar, Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, presidential advisor Karisa Nzai, and Nominated Senator Miraj Abdillahi. Efforts to reconcile these factions are underway, driven by concerns from party leaders in Nairobi who fear that division could jeopardize President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
Hassan Omar, asserting the dominance of his camp, emphasized the importance of unity within the party. He warned that those outside his faction risk being marginalized, both in the upcoming June 22 UDA grassroots elections and in the 2027 general elections. Omar expressed disappointment that opposition to his leadership stems from within the party itself, suggesting internal discord within the larger UDA camp in Mombasa.
Highlighting the potential consequences of disunity, Omar cautioned that the people of Mombasa might miss out on the benefits associated with UDA if harmony is not achieved among the factions.
“We have lobbied and got investors with almost Sh60 billion who will be coming to the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone. Let us make sure our people get jobs in the SEZ. Don’t let Mombasa people lose this because of lack of unity,” he said.
Without naming any specifics, Omar said a close relationship with the country’s top authorities should translate to tangible benefits for the people on the ground.
“You cannot tell me you are closest to the president or the deputy president yet your people are sleeping hungry.”
He said UDA must stand firm in Mombasa, and for this to happen, differences must be set aside and all must work together.
The EALA MP also warned against giving false promises to the people.
“Some of us work in silence to seek opportunities for others. We don’t shout on podia what we have done because people have eyes and ears.
“Those shouting about what they have done to the people are not genuine,” he said.
Omar also defended the Kenya Kwanza policy on housing levy that will help fund the affordable housing program, saying it will help create social justice among Kenyans.
Social justice is about ensuring the rich help the poor get decent lives, he said, adding that all Kenyans deserve a meaningful, decent place to live in.
