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ODM, Mombasa MCAs in bitter clash over majority leader’s ouster
The Mombasa County Assembly offices.
What you need to know:
- Nominated MCA Milka Areba urged the ODM national office to allow elected leaders to discharge their duties independently.
- Her remarks followed a letter from ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen to the Assembly on August 5, questioning the legality of Mr Mwamiri’s ouster.
Mombasa MCAs have warned the Raila Odinga-led Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) national leadership against interfering in the internal affairs of the devolved unit.
The warning comes after the party’s national office rejected the Assembly’s decision to remove Mr Athman Mwamiri as the County Assembly Majority Leader.
Last week, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir suffered a political setback after Mr Mwamiri, a close ally and Likoni Ward MCA, was ousted from the influential position.
The MCAs claimed Mr Mwamiri had been “compromised” by the executive, undermining the independence of the legislative arm.
“We must work for the people who elected us, not act as puppets of the executive. We will resist any attempts to dilute our oversight mandate,” said Ms Priscilla Mumba, the new Majority Leader and MCA for Shimanzi.
“We cannot be used by the executive as rubber stamps. We are fighting for the interests of our constituents,” she added.
The move has exposed growing tensions between the Assembly and the executive in Mombasa, even as ODM scrambles to contain the fallout within its ranks.
Nominated MCA Milka Areba urged the ODM national office to allow elected leaders to discharge their duties independently.
Her remarks followed a letter from ODM Executive Director Oduor Ong’wen to the Assembly on August 5, questioning the legality of Mr Mwamiri’s ouster. In the letter, Mr Ong’wen advised the Assembly to maintain the status quo until a stakeholders’ meeting is convened within two weeks.
“This issue has been brought to our attention. As we assess the propriety of the ongoing changes, we advise that no further action be taken until a stakeholders’ forum is held,” the letter read.
Mr Mwamiri’s removal has laid bare a power struggle between Governor Nassir and County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri. While both leaders have publicly maintained unity, insiders say friction has persisted for nearly a year.
In a stormy session last Tuesday, 24 out of 32 MCAs voted to oust Mr Mwamiri, accusing him of prioritising the governor’s interests over those of Mombasa residents.
“Attempts by ODM headquarters to intimidate, reverse and interfere with this lawful decision are not only undemocratic but also an affront to the sovereignty of the County Assembly as an independent arm of government,” said Old Town MCA Abdirahman Hussein.
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Mr Hussein dismissed Mr Ong’wen’s letter seeking to halt the ouster as “belated, misplaced and overtaken by events.”
Mr Mwamiri, a close ally of Governor Nassir, accused his colleagues of subverting democracy and settling personal scores.
“What is happening in the Mombasa County Assembly is not democracy. It is the weaponisation of power by individuals who have hijacked the institution,” he said.
He claimed his removal was punishment for expressing independent views and resisting attempts to be a puppet.
“I was elected by the people of Mombasa and appointed Majority Leader by ODM. I sought clarification from the party and was advised that the status quo be maintained,” he added, accusing fellow MCAs of impunity.
“This is not about leadership. It’s about control. I was born without this position and I can live without it. But I will not stand by while order is thrown to the wind.”
Mr Mwamiri urged adherence to due process and the rule of law.
His ouster, backed by three-quarters of the Assembly, is seen as a major blow to Governor Nassir’s influence. Analysts say it could complicate the passage of critical bills and deepen political divisions in Mombasa.
