Mombasa businessman-cum-politician Mbarak Bashatir /BRIAN OTIENO




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Friends and supporters of Mombasa businessman-cum-politician Mbarak Bashatir are still reeling from his shock withdrawal from the Kisauni MP race.

The politician, who joined UDA on December 19 last year, following months of speculation and dalliance with ODM, was expected to give incumbent Rashid Bedzimba a run for his money.

However, his shock withdrawal means one less candidate and a probable aversion of internal turmoil in UDA, which now remains with at least two aspirants who have shown interest in the Kisauni MP seat through the ruling party’s ticket.

The remaining hopefuls in UDA are Hamid Mbarak and Shaffi Makazi.

“I have officially withdrawn my candidature for the Kisauni Member of Parliament seat under the United Democratic Alliance,” Bashatir said on Sunday on his social media accounts.

He however said he will continue to remain a member of UDA and do everything possible to help Kisuani develop in his capacity as a resident and businessman.

“I wish all candidates vying for various seats in Kisauni constituency the very best and every success,” he said.

Other Kisauni MP hopefuls include Jubilee deputy party leader Beatrice Gambo, who hosted their presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i in his two-day tour of the Coast region over the weekend.

Some of Bashatir’s supporters say they do not understand his shock move.

“We had started very well and were making good progress. You see how he had started making inroads in the national scene and creating networks that would be beneficial for Kisauni residents?” said one of his trusted aides.

Bashatir is expected in Mombasa from Wednesday where he will explain to his supporters his move.

“He has told us he will be in Mombasa this week and we will have a discussion over the matter,” Bilal Yahya, another staunch Bashatir supporter, said.

Millie Odinga, the UDA presidential coordinator in Mombasa, said Bashatir has chosen to focus on his work as the Kenya SportPesa League side Police FC where he was recently appointed as the technical director after being on the team’s board for a while.

“He will, meanwhile, be working to ensure President William Ruto is re-elected in 2027. What I know is that he will be fully focused on Police FC for now until the end of the season and probably the next season, then he will make a choice as 2027 approaches,” Odinga told the Star.

Meanwhile, the Mombasa businessman-cum-politician has leapt to President Ruto’s defense against accusations he is wrecking the ODM party.

Bashatir said President Ruto is a founding member of ODM and it would be foolhardy for him to destroy a party that he founded and which he is working with.

“When I build a house in Mombasa, I cannot demolish it because I have built another one in Nairobi where I will be most of the time. If I cannot have a relative stay in it, I will rent it out,” Bashatir said.

He spoke during a talk show on Radio Maisha on Friday.

Bashatir, who himself was once in dalliance with ODM before he formally joined UDA on December 19 last year, said President Ruto is receiving flak because he appointed ODM members to his Cabinet.

“Is it not about anything else. Some people are still not happy that ODM members are in government. That is his ‘mistake’,” Bashatir said.

He said no one can reject an opportunity to serve Kenyans from a position of influence.

“Who does not like licking honey? Is honey sweet or bitter? Honey is medicinal. President William Ruto is a leader who loves seeing Kenyans live in peace and harmony. The more the political parties, the more democratic the country is,” Bashatir said.

The businessman-cum-politician said he was also once leaning towards ODM but after studying the UDA manifesto carefully, he decided to officially join the ruling party because it had more issues he is aligned to as a leader.

He said when UDA and ODM signed a working agreement, including the 10-point agenda, some elements in ODM were against it.

He said the party now needs a solid leader, with a lot of influence, and energy to handle the cracks that are appearing in the party so as to have a peaceful Kenya heading into the 2027 general elections.

Bashatir said ODM is better placed to have a leader who is energetic enough to move around the country to sell the party.

“Oburu Odinga, going by his age, does not have the energy to go to all parts of the country to speak for or fight for the ODM party.

Everyone is born with their star. Raila Amolo Odinga had a star that made him loved, made him influential and a respected leader. Every statement he made was respected and followed,” Bashatir said.