Mombasa Women Representative Mishi Mboko (left) and Khamisa Zajjah (right) during a past Tusemezane forum in Mombasa. Mishi has endorsed Khamisa for the Women representative post. [Photo: Maxwel Ngala/ hivisasa.com]
In a twist of events that are likely to cause commotion in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party in Mombasa, Women Representative Mishi Mboko has endorsed Khamisa Zajjah to vie for the post in the August 8 elections.Mboko said Zajjah who heads the Coast group for persons living with disabilities, has proved to have a development agenda for the county not only for disabled persons but also women, youth and the entire Mombasa community.Speaking during a womens forum on Friday, Mboko said Zajjah was the ideal candidate to replace her.“She is physically challenged yes, but the Women Representative seat is never a fashion show. We need someone who can deliver and that is Khamisa Zajjah” said Mboko.Mishi said she will fully support Zajjah who has been the Coast regional Coordinator for Maji na Ufanisi, a non-governmental organization that saw the construction of public toilets and water tanks at Kongowea market, Jomvu slums and Majengo market.However, her opponent Asha Hussein, dismissed the endorsement, and vowed to floor Zajja during the ODM primaries.She claimed she had been promised full support by both Governor Hassan Joho and Mboko, adding that she will not bow out of the race.“In fact they were suppose to give me direct nomination since they told me to step down for Mishi in 2013 and I did exactly that, am not leaving it for anybody else this time round,” said Hussein.Zajjah said she is ready to face off with Hussein in the primaries, adding that the seat was open for everyone and should not be set aside for Hussein.“Let us go for the nominations and if I lose, I will support Hussein,” said Zajjah.