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| ODM deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir |
ODM deputy party leader Abdulswamad Nassir has said the intermittent disturbance in the party should not worry supporters because they are normal occurrence in any popular party.
Nassir, who was officially installed as one of the three deputy party leaders on Saturday in an ODM National Executive Council meeting in Mombasa, said he will unite the party both at the grassroots and national level.
“Sometimes, when you chew some delicacies, you might bite your lip because of the good taste of the food. But you should thank God that you are eating in the first place. Some don’t have that opportunity,” he said.
He spoke on Sunday during an ODM delegates meeting chaired by leader Raila Odinga in Mombasa.
“ODM is a party of choice and as leaders, we must ensure that all those who want seats in the party are given that opportunity in the right environment,” Nassir said.
The Mombasa governor, who was on Saturday entrusted by Raila to unite the party at the Coast, said he will cover every inch of the region to ensure there is unity in the party and that the party gains even more members and popularity in the region.
“We need to build this party. If you see smoke, there is fire. And if you see fire, know there is good food being cooked,” he said.
He said some houses have no smoke or fire because there are no cooks in them thus people most likely sleep hungry. His statement comes amid simmering rifts among the leaders in Mombasa county.
His sentiments were echoed by Mombasa woman representative Zamzam Mohammed who called for unity and focus on helping the party gain more popularity in Mombasa, Coast and Kenya at large.
“If we are in the one house, let’s dance to one beat,” Mohamed said.
The woman representative called on the delegates to bring in more members into the party to grow even bigger.
The woman representative said she has given Raila all her blessings for the African Union Commission chairperson position in Addis Ababa.
“Go with our blessings and we will keep the fire burning for you so that when you come back in 2027, you will find the party even more vibrant,” Mohamed said.
She acknowledged Nassir as the party deputy leader and father of the county.
“We look at you as our father. We are behind you as your leader. Ensure everyone sings ODM,” she said.
Nassir said ODM is a social democracy and that it has not signed any deal with the Kenya Kwanza government.
“Let it be clear. We are not in government. The principle of social democracy is that the country is greater than any individual. You have to get out of your way to ensure that the country flourishes without necessarily putting in other interests,” Nassir said.
His sentiments were echoed by Raila who said they have not signed any deal with the Kenya Kwanza regime. Raila said Kenyans should be allowed to freely advocate for electoral reforms and express themselves freely through legally accepted means.
“We should have a country where the youth can express themselves without the fear of being abducted and being held incommunicado for 30 days,” Raila said.
He said ODM will continue to push for justice and accountability in every institution in the country.
“When the country is on the verge of burning, we put everything aside and say Kenya is bigger than anyone else,” Raila noted.
by BRIAN OTIENO