Former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Chairperson in Magarini, Kilifi County, Ahmed Maamun Ali alias Akaku is dead.
Ali reportedly died in the wee hours of Tuesday, April 1, with reports indicating his passing was sudden.
Through a statement, ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir mourned Akaku as a great leader who had a massive impact on the party’s activities, particularly at the grassroots level.
“I have received the devastating news of the passing of my dear friend and comrade, Ahmed Maamun Ali—fondly known to many as Akaku—with deep shock and profound sorrow,” Abdulswamad stated.
“Akaku was not only a steadfast and passionate leader within our party, but also a true patriot who served diligently as the ODM Chairman for Magarini. His dedication to the ideals of justice, equity, and grassroots empowerment was unmatched, and his absence will be deeply felt by all of us who had the honour of working alongside him,” he further added.
In addition to his political involvement, Akaku was active in local affairs. In 2007, he was among the candidates who vied for the Magarini parliamentary seat but ultimately lost out.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro also sent his condolence message, expressing profound sorrow over his passing and highlighting the significant impact Akaku had on the community.
“I am profoundly saddened and speechless upon learning the unexpected news. The loss of my dear friend Ahmed Maamun Ali (AKAKU) is deeply felt, and he will be greatly missed,” the governor remarked.
“Mr. Ali served as the ODM Chairman (MAGARINI). My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all those who knew him,” he further expressed.
Akaku’s passing came just days before ODM was set to conduct grassroots elections in its various constituencies across the country.
ODM’s National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC) chairperson, Emily Awita, recently revealed that the constituency-level elections will be held on Wednesday, April 9, between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. These elections will be conducted either through consensus or voting by a show of hands.
The application period for persons interested in the various grassroots positions ran from March 20 to March 31.
As is often the case, 77 party officials will be elected nationwide across four committees: Mainstream, Women's League, Youth League, and Disability League. The application process can be accessed via the party’s official website or party app.
The positions include Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Organising Secretary, Deputy Organising Secretary, Secretary for Women, Secretary for Youth, Secretary for Disability, and Special Interest Group Representative, among others.
With his strong standing in the Coast region, it was expected that Akaku would have had a significant influence on the party’s elections, with many candidates flocking to him seeking his endorsement to vie.
