This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has been making secret calls to grassroots opinion leaders in Msambweni Constituency, Kwale county, in a bid to resolve the party's internal conflicts ahead of the upcoming by-election.
According to sources, Raila's move comes after conflicting reports from elected party leaders in Kwale county and Mombasa who have fronted different candidates for the seat.
Among those vying for the ticket are Feisal Abdallah, a nephew of the late MP Suleiman Dori, who is backed by Kwale senator Issa Boy; Omar Boga, who contested for the seat in the last general election as an independent candidate and was runners-up; and Nicholas Zani, a party insider who was Raila's chief agent and campaigner in the last general elections.
However, the fear within ODM is that a fallout after the nomination will cost them the seat, given that Kwale governor Salim Mvurya is keen to take the seat to have bragging rights ahead of the next general elections.
At the same time, Wiper party has its eyes wide open, with its acting national chairman Chirau Mwakwere from the county wanting to stamp his authority by winning the seat and sending a warning to his governor opponents in 2022 general elections.
