Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir on Monday, November 10, 2025, made a direct appeal for unity among Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) members and supporters in the politically crucial Kisauni constituency. The call comes at a critical juncture for the party, which is grappling with significant internal divisions and the strategic challenge of maintaining its dominance in the Coast region following the recent death of its long-time leader, Raila Odinga.

Addressing party loyalists in Kisauni, a constituency historically known as a hotbed of Mombasa politics, Governor Nassir, who also serves as one of ODM's deputy party leaders, emphasized that solidarity was paramount for the party's strength and future success. His intervention is seen by political observers as a crucial effort to consolidate the party's base from the ground up, following a period of uncertainty and contentious grassroots elections that have threatened to fragment its support structure.

A Party in Transition

ODM is navigating a complex political landscape for the first time in its 20-year history without its founder, Raila Odinga, who passed away on October 15, 2025. His personal influence was long considered the bedrock of the party's formidable support across the six coastal counties. Nassir's leadership is now under the spotlight as he and other regional figures are tasked with galvanizing support and institutionalizing the party's structures beyond personality politics.

The challenge is compounded by a deepening ideological rift within the party's national leadership. One faction, which includes prominent figures like former Mombasa Governor and current Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Hassan Joho, has advocated for continued cooperation with President William Ruto's administration under a "broad-based government" arrangement. Conversely, a group led by Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna insists that ODM must field its own presidential candidate in the 2027 general election, arguing it was Odinga's final wish. This fundamental disagreement over the party's future direction has created internal tensions that are palpable at the county level.

Contentious Grassroots and Local Power Plays

The governor's plea for unity in Kisauni is directly linked to the party's recent grassroots elections, which were marred by claims of irregularities and factionalism in Mombasa and other parts of the country. In late August 2025, the outcome of Mombasa's county-level party elections, which were decided by consensus, left some members disgruntled and demanding a repeat of the exercise, prompting Nassir to call for a meeting to ease the rising tensions. The process saw Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba play a key role in supporting the retention of the incumbent county secretary, highlighting the constituency's influence in county party politics.

By addressing the Kisauni base directly, Nassir aims to quell simmering dissent and prevent local rivalries from weakening the party ahead of future electoral contests. The party's performance in the 2022 general election exposed vulnerabilities in the region; while ODM retained the governorships in Mombasa and Kilifi, it lost ground in Kwale, Lamu, and Taita Taveta to rival parties and independent candidates.

The Battle for the Coast

Nassir's push for a united front is not just about internal party health but also about fending off external threats. President Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been actively working to make inroads in the Coast, seeking to capitalize on any perceived weakness within ODM. The upcoming Magarini by-election is widely viewed as the first major electoral test of ODM's resilience and unity in the post-Raila era.

In a statement from a Coast ODM delegates' meeting on November 2, 2025, Nassir reaffirmed the party's commitment to its core principles. “As a party, we remain firmly united and focused on strengthening our grassroots structures in readiness for the forthcoming elections. In Mombasa, our commitment is clear: to ensure ODM sweeps all elective seats by championing the values that define us—good governance, strong devolution, democracy, and respect for human rights,” he stated. The governor's repeated calls for unity, both in Kisauni and previously in Kwale in October 2024, underscore the sustained effort required to maintain cohesion. His success in uniting the party's factions in key constituencies like Kisauni will be critical in determining ODM's ability to retain its status as the dominant political force in one of Kenya's most significant electoral blocs.