Defectors have no interest in Coast issues, say Mruttu, Joho

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho addressing ODM aspirants at the Voi Wildlife Lodge ahead of their planned rallies in Taita Taveta County on March 16, 2017. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • They said defectors are now supporting a government that has failed to solve problems facing Coast residents.
  • Mr Odinga, they said, is best placed to tackle President Kenyatta.
  • Mr Joho and Mr Mruttu told aspirants to support the winners and observe decorum in their campaigns.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Taita Taveta counterpart John Mruttu have dismissed as inconsequential the recent defections of opposition leaders from the Coast to the Jubilee Party.

Speaking when they met ODM aspirants in Voi Town on Wednesday night, the two said those who defected did not have the interests of the people at heart.

The defectors, they said, are now supporting a government that has failed to solve problems facing Coast residents.

They cited the example of the creation of a dry port in Voi Town under the Vision 2030 project, which they claimed is now being relocated to Naivasha.

VOI DRY PORT

However, President Kenyatta, while on a visit to Voi last Saturday said plans to build a dry port in the town are still on.

The port, he said, will create jobs for locals and boost the economy.

Governor Joho, who had a spat with President Kenyatta on Monday, said he will not be intimidated to stop “talking the truth”.

Mr Joho and Mr Mruttu asked the aspirants to campaign vigorously for ODM leader Raila Odinga whom they said should be Nasa’s flag-bearer.

Mr Odinga, they said, is best placed to tackle President Kenyatta.

The two governors told aspirants to accept the outcome of the ODM primaries, support the winners and observe decorum in their campaigns.

"You should identify a polling station, where supporters are in charge of a station, ensure there is an agent, there is food, county clerks, phone to record every incident and results," Mr Joho said.