Some of the Mombasa County Senate candidates during the debate at Mbaraki Hall on Saturday. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Coast political analyst Philip Kaulu now says independent candidates for the Mombasa Senate seat will give their rivals in popular parties a run for their money in the August 8 general election.
The seat currently held by Senator Hassan Omar, has attracted several candidates; Hamisi Mwaguya, Jabess Oduor and Mohammed Abbas all independents.Other contenders are Mohammed Faki (ODM), Wiper’s Lawrence Kisilu and Stephen Yaa of Maendeleo Chap Chap.According to Kaulu, Mwaguya is still the favourite of many residents although he will face a stiff challenge from ODM’s Faki.“Mombasa is still an opposition stronghold. Many people are not really aware of the independent candidates. Therefore, Faki might sail through because he is in ODM. However, we cannot rule out Mwaguya because he is his main challenger,” Kaulu told the Star in Mombasa town on Wednesday.He, however, said the issue of party is not essential, citing the 2013 win by Senator Omar.Omar beat veteran politicians Ramadhan Kajembe and Najib Balala to clinch the seat.“In 2013, Wiper was seen as a weak party in the Cord coalition. ODM and Jubilee were more popular. However, Omar got over 130,000 votes, beating Kajembe and Balala,” said the analyst.On Saturday, the candidates were engaged in a debate organised by Human Rights Agenda (Huria) at Mbaraki Hall.Huria executive director Yusuf Lule said the debate was tough and the candidates tried their best.“The senator candidates really tried. They know how to articulate issues,” Lule said.