Kalonzo asks ODM to brace for vicious fight in Mswambeni parliamentary seat tussle

Kalonzo asks ODM to brace for vicious fight in Mswambeni parliamentary seat tussle

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Jubilee to support Shehe Mahmoud- Wiper’s candidate for the Mswambweni parliamentary seat.

Speaking at the Redeemed Gospel Church in Ukunda, Kalonzo dismissed ODM’s claims of a sure win, saying the Wiper party will turn tables.

He also dismissed claims by Jubilee that the region is an ODM party stronghold, promising a vicious fight for the seat.

Earlier in the week, Jubilee opted out of the seat in a statement issued by Secretary General Raphael Tuju.

Tuju said the decision had been made following “consultations within the party” and in the spirit of the handshake deal with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

“With the unprecedented corporation between Jubilee and ODM in Parliament in the recent past on matters of national importance and given that this was an ODM seat, the decision has been made that Jubilee will not field a candidate in the interest of the bigger picture,” said Tuju.

The seat was left vacant following the death of MP Suleiman Ramadhani Dori who succumbed to cancer in March this year.

Tuju also cited the recent advisory by the Chief Justice that parliament should be dissolved as one of the serious matters that the country is facing and will require political harmony to navigate.

“…the decision not to engage in the contest is informed by the facts prevailing at the moment when we face challenges like the recent advisory by the Chief Justice that parliament should be dissolved. In other words, the country has very serious constitutional matters to deal with that will require sobriety and reaching across the political divides in order to navigate our beloved country across some of these challenges,” added the statement.

He asked aspirants who were hoping to vie for the seat on a Jubilee Party ticket to seek other alternatives.

“This announcement has been made in good time so that any aspirant who has interest in a Jubilee ticket still has other pathways to running for this seat,” added Tuju.

ODM Party Director of Elections Junet Mohamed welcomed the Jubilee Party’s decision to opt out of the race saying it provides an opportunity to focus on national duties.

“I welcome this important decision by President Uhuru (Jubilee Party) to not field a candidate in Msambweni. This decision cements our resolve to avoid politics of antagonism and more importantly, it gives our two parties the space to focus on more urgent national duties,” said Junet Mohamed.

The by-election is set to be held on December 15, 2020.

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