ODM, Kanu clash over office ownership

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By Joseph Masha

Officials of two rival political parties have clashed over the ownership of an office in Bahari, Kilifi County.

Kanu and ODM claim to be the legal owners of the premises.

The dispute arose last week after ODM officials hired painters to go to the offices, which served as Kanu headquarters in the district, and paint them over with ODM colours and the party symbol.

However, when Kanu officials got wind of the operation, members flocked to the offices and demanded that the painting be stopped.

But the newly elected chairman of ODM Bahari sub-branch, Mr Joseph Chilumo, directed the painters to continue with work.

"This office is the property of ODM and that is the reason why we have opted to repaint it with the party colours and symbol for our activities to be run from here," said Chilumo. But a former chairperson of Kilifi Town Council, Ms Asha Karisa said the office was the property of Kanu.

Hijack headquarters

"The land on which the Kanu headquarters offices was built on, and the offices, are officially the property of Kanu and attempts by ODM officials to hijack them will not be tolerated," said Karisa.

Chilumo, who is an ODM nominated councillor and chairman of the Kilifi Town Council Finance Committee, who was accompanied by the chairperson of Kilifi Town Council Esther Kache, vowed to take over the offices.

The civic leader claimed all the leaders who were in Kanu during the one political party era were the same leaders who joined other political parties and, therefore, had the right to move with their property.

"All of us belonged to Kanu during the times when it was the only political party. When we entered the multi-party era, most of us moved out and joined other political parties like ODM and for that matter, we have the right to shift with the assets — including the offices," said Chilumo.

When the war of words between the two groups intensified, police arrested the painter but later released him.

The Kanu officials finally overpowered the ODM officials and got their own painter to restore the party colours and cockerel symbol.