Nyali MP Mohammed Ali Withdraws from UDA Grassroots Elections, Cites Top Leadership Interference

Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali has announced his withdrawal from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots elections in Mombasa, accusing the party’s top leadership of compromising the process.

In a strongly worded statement, Ali revealed that his team, #TeamMohamedAli, will not participate in the upcoming elections, citing blatant interference and manipulation by the UDA Secretary General (SG) Hassan Omar.

Ali, a seasoned journalist-turned-politician, expressed his frustration with the party’s internal processes.

“It has become unequivocally clear that the upcoming Mombasa’s grassroots elections have been compromised, and hence, it is quite unfortunate that #TeamMohamedAli will not be taking any part in them,” he stated.

The MP accused Omar of handpicking officials to influence the election outcome, describing the move as a “profound conflict of interest.”

UDA Party Secretary General Sen. Hassan Omar

Ali further criticized the SG for micromanaging the party to prioritize personal political interests over the will of the people.

“His tendency to micromanage the party, prioritizing his personal political interests over the will of the people, is not only unacceptable but a grave disservice to the citizens of Mombasa,” he said.

The MP’s remarks highlight growing tensions within UDA, a party that has been preparing for its grassroots elections scheduled for April 11-12, 2025.

The UDA National Elections Board recently concluded a weeklong sensitization and training program for aspirants in counties such as Taita-Taveta and Lamu, as part of its preparations for the polls.

The training, which took place at the party headquarters, aimed to equip ward and sub-county aspirants for the elections.

However, Ali’s withdrawal casts a shadow over the party’s efforts to conduct a fair and transparent process in Mombasa.

Despite the setback, Ali reassured his supporters of his unwavering commitment to their interests.

“Despite this disheartening development, I want to assure you all as my avid and loyal supporters that we will not be deterred nor fazed,” he said.

He hinted at a potential mass exit from the party if the mismanagement persists, stating, “If he persists in treating the party as his personal property, we will be left with no choice but to decamp as one.”

Ali emphasized that UDA, like any political party, belongs to the people, not to any single individual, regardless of their position.

“When the right moment comes and the rubber hits the road, we will confront this head-on,” he added, signaling his readiness to take further action if necessary.