Mombasa governor post to remain in Cord - Senator Omar

Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar (right), accompanied by Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior, addresses journalists at Serena Hotel in Nairobi on January 15, 2017. He said he is the best person to win the governorship post for Mombasa. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Omar added that Mr Joho does not stand a chance to win since he had failed to deliver services to the electorate.
  • The senator noted that ODM, which is a partner in Cord, had been given the opportunity by voters in 2013 but had terribly failed to deliver.

Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar has dismissed efforts by Jubilee Party to unseat Governor Hassan Joho in the August elections, saying the seat belongs to Cord.

However, the Wiper Democratic Movement secretary-genera said that ODM, through Mr Joho, had failed to deliver to residents and so, a Wiper candidate would become the next governor.

Reacting to reports that two Jubilee rivals, Mr Ananiah Mwaboza and Mr Suleiman Shahbal, were about to agree on who between them would carry the party’s ticket to battle the incumbent, Mr Omar said the move was inconsequential.

“Jubilee doesn’t stand a chance in Mombasa. They do not understand the dynamics of Mombasa politics,” he said Friday.

Mr Omar however added that Mr Joho does not stand a chance to win since he had failed to deliver services to the electorate.

“You as well as everybody else knows that for sure ODM has failed on all its promises. There are huge holes in service delivery and therefore, a Wiper candidate would be the peoples’ best solution,” he said.

The senator noted that ODM, which is a partner in Cord, had been given the opportunity by voters in 2013 but had terribly failed to deliver.

“ODM received 100 per cent support from Mombasa people. They got all the seats from the governor to MCAs and county administrator, but what do they have to show?” he asked.

Either Mr Omar or Kisauni MP Hezron Awiti, who is the party’s national treasurer, would go for the seat on a Wiper ticket.

Asked whether he and Mr Awiti had initiated any talks similar to Mr Mwaboza and Mr Shahbal, Mr Omar said Wiper was a democratic party that allows all candidates to go for nomination.

“I and Mr Awiti will sort it out at the nomination and I can assure you that whoever wins will be supported by the others,” he said but added that he was a front-runner.