Leaders of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Mombasa County have cautioned their partners in the broad-based government against what they termed attacks on ODM officials, even as they reaffirmed the party’s commitment to delivering votes for President William Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.

ODM Mombasa County chairman Mohammed Khamis said the party continues to mourn the loss of its founding leader, the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga, but maintained that party operations and mobilisation remain on course under new party leader Dr. Oburu Oginga, who was picked by members following consultations held across the country before ODM entered into the cooperation agreement with President Ruto.

Khamis said that while ODM remains committed to the broad-based arrangement, some individuals aligned with the pact have instead used public forums to disparage ODM officials rather than campaign on the President’s agenda.

“We are asking them, respectfully, to tell us whether we are partners or adversaries,” Khamis said, warning that such conduct would not be allowed to continue unchallenged.

ODM Mombasa County Secretary Geoffrey Busaka echoed the sentiments, saying the party remains a key pillar of the broad-based government and that attacks on ODM leaders “will not add a single vote” to the President’s tally.

He said ODM’s responsibility within the coalition is to ensure Ruto secures a strong showing in Mombasa and the wider Coast region.

Busaka dismissed claims that ODM was planning zoning arrangements to restrict campaign access in the region, calling on rivals to bring it on, expressing confidence in the party’s electoral record in Mombasa.

ODM Women League Chairperson for Mombasa, Milkah Moraa Ngare, said the party’s relationship with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) was one of partnership rather than competition, noting that ODM has largely refrained from public confrontation out of respect for both parties’ structures.

She said the party’s focus remains on mobilising votes for Ruto’s re-election rather than engaging in public disputes.

Chairperson ODM youth league Hamza Kombo confirmed that October, marked nationally by ODM as “Mwezi wa Baba” in honour of Raila Odinga’s legacy, will include county-level commemorative activities in Mombasa on the 18th and 19th of October, ahead of the first anniversary of his death on October 15, 2025, with nationwide candle-lighting on October 2nd.

“The king is gone, but long live the crown,” said Kombo.

 by Joan Kinuthia