Kisauni MP-elect Ali Mbogo at a past event. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Kisauni MP-elect Ali Mbogo pulled a surprise to defeat outgoing MP Rashid Bedzimba, a political heavyweight, during the August 8 elections.
It is the first time in a decade that the seat has not been won by ODM, the most popular party in the region.Mbogo was elected on a Wiper Party ticket.Bedzimba's win also ensured that the one-term cycle that has defined Kisauni politics over the years is maintained.But how exactly did Mbogo, a political novice, manage to send Bedzimba, Governor Hassan Joho's right-hand man parking?Mbogo's popularity which subsequently earned him an elective seat is as a result of his personality which keeps him ahead of the game in Kisauni politics.His name became a house-hold name in the constituency which is at the heart of Mombasa politics, when he started to freely mingle with residents, wine and dine with the poor and hold heart to heart chats with various youth groups.Many young people who constitute the largest voting block in the constituency started viewing him as a role model and a team leader who has a vision for Kisauni.He made sacrifices, spent millions of shillings in a bid to bring development in the county and by the time Bedzimba realised, the wealthy businessman had invaded his territory.Besides that, Mbogo preferred face to face meetings with the people as opposed to the social media craze which other politicians prefer. And as a result, he managed to convince them to vote for him.He had very many volunteers, among them youth and women, who managed to spearhead his campaigns until victory was delivered.