Former KTN investigative journalist Mohammed Ali has declared that he has quit the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and will be vying for the Nyali Parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.
In a long facebook post, Ali announced his departure from ODM stating that the Nyali ODM nominations were a selection and not an election as he had anticipated.
" The Nyali primaries were marred with such deep and blatant irregularities that clearly favored a Saido victory. Voter bribery, intimidation, ballot stuffing and general interference in the election by Said Abdallah and his relative, current Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho, robbed Nyali’s residents of the chance to make a real choice.
The former investigative journalist explained that he had chosen to vie as an independent candidate because he believed that Nyali people deserved to be represented by a person of dignity and honor.
"You, the people of Nyali deserve a leader, not a surrogate...I have chosen to stand as an independent candidate because I know in my heart that you, the people of Nyali now have a clear choice. It is a choice between a man who would do anything, including stealing his way to power and a man who has stood by justice all his life, and will do justice for you." Ali stated.
The Jicho Pevu journalist further reiterated his support for Opposition leader Raila Odinga stating that even though he was going independent he still believed that Raila was the best man to take Kenya to the next level.
"I want to make one thing clear, that even as I tender my resignation from the ODM party to run as an Independent Candidate, I still firmly believe that Raila Odinga is the man who can change Kenya. I fully support his candidature to become the fifth president of this great republic," he stated.
Nyali constituency will in August witness another fierce battle as Ali would again face off with Said Abdallah alias "Saido" who beat him in the ODM nominations.
Read also: Mohammed Ali Unveils His New Party
Here is Mohamed Ali's full statement:
