“Raila is my political father” Mohammed Ali describes his relationship with Raila post shambolic ODM nominations

Mohammed Ali was among several politicians who decided to vie as independent candidates after they were dissatisfied with party primaries that were characterized with chaos and claims of rigging.

Ali’s relationship with ODM party leader Raila Odinga was however not affected even after the party ruled against him in the dispute with Said Abdalla over party nomination in Nyali.

Speaking to the Nairobian, Ali revealed that it was Raila who introduced him to politics, he explained that he still views him as a father. Ali stated that Raila was a man he admires for his ideologies even after what happened during party nominations.

“Raila is my political father. When I was joining politics, I had a four-hour talk with him about it. He took me through his political journey. He allowed me to vie in Nyali and irrespective of what happened in ODM primaries at Nyali, I still view Raila as a father and a man I admire for his ideologies. I want to follow his footsteps to keep his legacy,” Moha said.

Moha further absolved Raila from blame saying that cartels orchestrated his downfall in ODM primary in Nyali constituency.

“I won the nominations, but the cartels didn’t want me to be Nyali MP. I joined ODM because of its ideologies, but I learnt that some people in Mombasa were using Raila’s name to benefit themselves.

“I raised the matter with the ODM tribunal and they were to hand me the certificate, but instead the ticket was given to Governor Hassan Joho’s brother, Said Saido, who was my closest rival. I had no alternative but to go independent.

“The electorate was behind me and my victory is proof that I was rigged out of the nominations. Even during the elections, my name was missing from the IEBC register and I didn’t vote!”