Cracks have emerged within the United Democratic Alliance party in Mombasa over leadership squabbles.
Some of the grassroots leaders are accusing former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar of running “a one-man show within the outfit”.
The party, which is associated with Deputy President William Ruto, has been carrying out grassroots registration of members and leaders in the region.
The recruitment was launched on July 3 by UDA chairman Johnson Muthama during a meeting in Mombasa.
However, the grassroots mobilisation meeting, which was attended by aspirants and supporters of DP Ruto from across the six counties of the Coast, was disrupted by the police for violating Covid-19 protocols.
This, however, did not stop the grassroots leaders from continuing with their mobilisation efforts, according to insiders.
The party is slowly gaining popularity in a region, which voted overwhelmingly for opposition leader Raila Odinga’s ODM party.
Ruto was expected to return to the Coast this coming weekend for a fundraiser at ACK Cathedral, Mombasa. However, sources close to him said he will be heading to Nanyuki instead.
No further explanation was given as to why the DP might skip the Mombasa tour. However, the squabbles within the Mombasa UDA leadership could have informed his decision to postpone his visit.
On Wednesday, some of the aggrieved grassroots leaders and members raised concerns over how the party is being led.
They accused Omar, who has declared an interest in the Mombasa governor seat on a UDA ticket, of sidelining them.
“We feel like the party has been hijacked. We will not allow a few people to take over the party. UDA is a party that accommodates everyone, regardless of your tribe, religion, or class,” Osumba Oyoo, a spokesperson of the splinter group said.
Oyoo called on Ruto to intervene.
“If things are not handled well, the DP’s popularity in the region might dwindle. Let’s work together to achieve the real bottom-up agenda,” he said.
However, Omar told the Star that Oyoo’s team is seeking attention.
Omar, who was attending a meeting at Ruto’s Karen home, said he has no time for petty issues.
“How can I respond to those people? I cannot stoop low and engage them on that matter,” Omar told the Star on the phone.
According to the Mombasa grassroots leaders, the DP should constitute a new team and reshuffle all the current coordinators.
“We insist on the immediate implementation of these changes to curb more wrangles and avoid future walkouts from the party,” Oyoo said.
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