Mombasa Woman Representative, Zamzam Mohamed, has intensified her campaign for President William Ruto’s re-election, assuring supporters that the relationship between UDA and the ODM remains cordial despite claims of growing political differences.

The ODM Legislator took a swipe at opposition leaders, accusing them of opposing development projects for political expediency at the expense of thousands of employment opportunities and the economic benefits, such investments could bring.

On the question of whether ODM should enter into a pre-election agreement with the ruling UDA party, an issue that has divided party leaders, with some advocating unconditional support for President Ruto’s re-election, while others insist on conditions, Mohamed avoided taking sides, saying the party organs would make the final decision.

“What we all agree is that Baba left us in the Broad-Based Government, and he left us in the hands of William Samoei Ruto. If Baba left us in Ruto’s hands, we have all agreed that William Samoei Ruto is the President,” said Mohamed.

She reassured ODM supporters that all was well within the Party, noting that the Party leader had issued a statement urging non-members to focus on the pressing issues facing the country, rather than interfering in ODM’s internal affairs.

“You should not be worried; unlike the others, we are not rudderless or clueless. We know where we are headed, and we all know that, at the end of the day, we are on the same path. The Deputy President will be chosen; don’t worry, we are in talks,” said Mohamed.

She added: “We did not come into the Broad-Based Government as flower girls. We have our votes, and our votes count. As much as UDA has its numbers, we also have even more numbers. There is value in our votes, and you will see our value.”

The Woman Representative spoke on the sidelines of the Annual General Meeting of the Kipsigis community living in Mombasa, where she urged members to register as voters to boost their numbers in the Port City, which currently stand at 7,900.

She announced plans to organise a major mobilisation event for the wider Kalenjin community, to consolidate its support and rally members to vote overwhelmingly for President Ruto’s re-election and her own bid to retain the Woman Representative seat.

Mohamed criticised The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Leader, Rigathi Gachagua, for opposing the much-publicised football match between Bayern Munich and Ajax, which is expected to be held during the opening of the Raila Odinga International Stadium.

She claimed the DCP leader had opted to spend more than a month holidaying in the United States, arguing that he could instead have spent his money in local tourist destinations such as Diani and Mombasa.

The Legislator defended the Head of State’s decision to invite the German-based football clubs, noting that Germany was where the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga studied and that Bayern Munich was among his favourite teams.

“Their skills are unmatched, and they are watched all over the world. Our local players will watch the match live as a way of motivating them. We have our teams that we cherish, such as Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards and Mombasa United,” she stated.

She further argued that the high-profile match would generate significant economic benefits, saying football fans from across Africa had already started booking air tickets to travel and watch the encounter.

“Business will boom, among other sectors, because they are coming to play football. Those who lack an agenda should tell us. They should stop opposing everything the President is doing. He is building roads, railways and houses, yet you are opposing him,” she said.

The vocal Legislator further noted that the Government’s major infrastructure investments were creating employment opportunities for young people, citing the recently launched Dangote East Africa Oil Refinery project in Lamu County, which is expected to create 60,000 jobs.

By Sadik Hassan