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By Tobby Otum
All affiliated party members of Azimio La Umoja Coalition drawn from Mombasa county made an intensive tour of the venue of a campaign rally to be presided over by flag bearer Raila Odinga today.
The coalition members led by Mvita legislator Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir inspected the venue at the Mombasa international showground in Nyali constituency.
He said the venue is new and different from those they had held previous rallies in the county.
“We are free to hold political rallies anywhere in the county,” he said.
Abdulswamad, who is eyeing the Mombasa gubernatorial seat to succeed incumbent Ali Hassan Joho, said the rally is dubbed the coast region declaration ahead of the August general elections.
He said the rally will be different from the previous ones and urged his opponents to mark his words.
Speaking at a well attended meeting during a media briefing he told the media they are entitled to hold meetings at any place that is perceived as the coalition’s stronghold.
The legislator refuted claims there is a particular venue where a political declaration could be made.
Abdulswamad, who was flanked by his Jomvu counterpart Badi Twalib and former Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba, insisted the movement has resolved to hold its meetings anywhere in the county.
He downplayed the hyped talk about former Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko who is also eyeing the Mombasa gubernatorial seat on a Wiper ticket saying all are invited to the rally and are aware of the venue.
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Mombasa county chairman Mohamed Hamid Hamisi alias Dhii urged members of the movement to turn up in large numbers for the declaration from the presidential flag bearer.
He refuted claims the meeting was specifically meant for ODM members only.
“ODM was also invited to the meeting like other members of affiliated parties,” he pointed out.