Our confidential sources have intimated that a senior ODM official is forcing the party to discipline Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa. The Tsomnyazi Times can now reveal that the former financier of ODM, who is struggling to brand himself as Coast Kingpin, is uncomfortable with Jumwa's political rise in the region.
Hon Aisha Jumwa, the Malindi Member of Parliament, dubbed Mekatilili by ODM leader Raila Odinga, has suddenly risen into unprecedented popularity, is a top contender of Kilifi gubernatorial seat and commands massive following in Kilifi County and the Coast region. Coupled with her tangible development activities in her Malindi Constituency, her leadership charisma, her fearless demeanour and her foothold at the grassroots, some ODM politicians fear being overshadowed at the regional political arena by Mekatilili.
They are now using Aisha's perceived association with Deputy President William Ruto as an excuse to settle their political scores.
Why has Hon Raila remained silent?
There has been a conspicuous silence by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Grapevine has it that following the handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta, the witch-hunters have severally defied Raila's Orders to go slow on Hon. Jumwa, warning them that the party could lose its popularity in the region.
However, the politician is said to have ignored Raila's advice, and is determined to shove away Jumwa from the Coast political matrix.
Malindi residents have already staged a demonstration against ODM party and rumors are that these demonstrations are likely to spread in other parts of Kilifi County, as local members decry the open selective and unwarranted actions by the party.
Raila should wake up and stop these regional political demagogues from messing with the party's popularity in Coast.