Renowned city lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi a.ka “The Grand Mullah” has suffered a major public embarrassment after a political party strongly linked to him declared its support to his archnemesis Raila Odinga.
During its National Delegates Convention (NDC) at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi Thursday, leaders of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) Party endorsed the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader’s presidential bid.
In the presence of the party founder, Mandera Governor Ali Roba, the delegates unanimously voted to back Raila’s bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta under the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
The news came as a shocker to Ahmednasir who helped set up the UDM party hoping that it could influence ODM loyalists in Northern Kenya to convert into supporters of his boss, Deputy President William Ruto.
But to his surprise, what he thought to be a smart move turned into a strategic blunder when delegates passed a resolution allowing the party to join Azimio la Umoja as well as ratified the party’s partnership with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party.
In October 2021, the affluent lawyer was among wealthy tycoons who showed up to fundraise money for UDM’s expansion.
On that material day, they forked out over Sh34 million towards the cause.
During the event, Raila was flanked by leaders affiliated to the Azimio la Umoja outfit including Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muritthi, Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu, among others.
The support for the former Prime Minister comes days after Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi officially announced that his Devolution Empowerment Party has joined the Azimio La Umoja movement.
The announcement was made during the party’s meeting on Tuesday that was attended by Raila ahead of its National Delegates Conference set for March 18.
