Online Political Wars Intensify In Kilifi

By Robby Ngoba

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

An online political infighting has erupted between ODM and its sibling, Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) of broadbased government on the claimed defection of the latter to the former in Kilifi County.

The Senate Speaker Amason Kingi-led party is fighting for its survival over changing political realignments that threatening its very existence come 2027.

Recently, Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro received more than 300 PAA supporters who joined ODM for reasons best known to the defectors. He welcomed them at his office during a well-attended political meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the governor, Kilifi County Assembly majority leader Ibrahim Matumbo praised the move noting that they had resolved to return home after being sidelined by the PAA leadership.

According to him the women felt neglected and unappreciated despite their support since its inception of Kingi’s party before the last general election of 2022.

“The performance of governor Mung’aro speaks volume and for itself. These women have seen the work on the ground and have declare to rally behind him,” he said.

The majority leader dismissed PAA as a village party driven by self interests remarks that have sparked heated exchanges between the supporters of the two parties on social media platforms.

However, PAA disputed the claims of mass defections. One of the die-hard supporters, James Mulei, dismissed the event as politically stage-managed spectacle aimed at misleading the public.

He alleged his party leadership had received reports of orchestrated event to cast aspersion and create a false impression of defection with individuals donning PAA branded attires.

The supporter reaffirm that the party was intact, unshaken and its ever-increasing membership focused and committed to the party’s vision and leadership.

“Our party is solid and United. These online allegation are propaganda aiming to deceive public through manufactured political theatrics.”

In a past event, Kaloleni MP Paul Katana declared that PAA had lost its grip in Kilifi where it won two parliamentary seats of Rabai and Ganze in 2022.

“The party should just pack and go because it has no supporters on the ground. Kilifi residents have already decided to rally behind governor Mung’aro and ODM as the preferred party,” he said.

The growing rivalry between the two parties escalated after Kilifi gubernatorial hopeful Aisha Jumwa ditched President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance party (UDA) for PAA in the forthcoming general election.

Since she lost her cabinet position in the aftermath of GenZ revolt of June 2024, Jumwa returned to her county where she has been laying grounds for a stab at the gubernatorial and unseat the incumbent Mung’aro.