Coast elders tell ODM 'rebels' to respect Governor Joho

A section of elders from the Coast region show support for Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho before they addressed press conference. They vowed to protect the governor from any one trying to frustrate his leadership in this picture taken on October 2, 2018. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The elders said Governor Joho is national figure who should be respected.
  • They asked Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori and his Malindi counterpart Aisha Jumwa to respect Mr Joho.

  • They said that they would rally their support for Mr Joho’s 2022 presidential bid.

A section of elders drawn from the six Coast region counties have told ODM 'rebels' to respect Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

The elders were represented by Ibrahim Langalia (Taita Taveta), Ali Said (Tana River), Juma Fimbo (Kilifi), Mohamed Issa (Lamu), Mohamed Kutsetsera (Kwale) and Ali Faranga (Mombasa).

NATIONAL FIGURE

Under Sauti ya Wazee wa Pwani banner, the elders who visited Nation Media Group offices in Mombasa said Governor Joho is national figure who should be respected.

They particularly asked Msambweni MP Suleiman Dori and his Malindi counterpart Aisha Jumwa to respect the ODM deputy party leader.

“Mr Dori and Ms Aisha, were supported by Mr Joho while running for their seat in last year's General Election. Unfortunately, after winning, they have suddenly found solace by attacking the governor whenever they accompany the Deputy President William Ruto in his coast visits. This is an act of betrayal and as elders upholding respect for Mr Joho, we feel offended by their antics,” said Mzee Kutsetsera, the group’s spokesman.

PRESIDENTIAL BID

They said that they would rally their support for Mr Joho’s 2022 presidential bid since he is the only leader capable of going for the top seat from the Coast at the moment.

“Mr Joho has now achieved the needed to take this region to the next step in politics.

He has the qualities of our past leaders who included the late Ronald Ngala,Karisa Maitha, Sharrif Nassir, Jembe Mwakalu, Abdalla Mwidau, Sharrif Nassir, and Juma Boy. It is disturbing that instead of the leaders supporting him for the top seat, they are busy brining him down. As elders, we want them come back home and support the governor as he equally supported them,” added Mzee Kutsetsera.

GOOD LEADER

Said Khamis, an elder from Kwale said the leaders castigating the governor have no vision for the region.

“They are busy attacking the governor in podiums but they have not told their electorate what they have done on the ground. In all these antics, the governor has remained mum, that is the sign of a good leader. They should apologise to the governor and join him in his quest for the top seat,” said Mzee Khamis.

Mzee Ali Said Ana said that although they welcome Mr Ruto for development tours, the speed at which his allies are turning the tours into political campaigns is making them uncomfortable.

“We know that the DP is touring the country for projects implementation but the 'rebel' legislators have found a chance to hit at the governor. This is very unfortunate,” said Mzee Said.

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

In Malindi, an MCA now wants the ODM party to dismiss the 'rebels.'

Mr Nixon Mramba (Kakuyuni ward told the ODM leadership not to be lenient with those who have began 2022 presidential campaigns for Mr Ruto.

ODM party has so far summoned Ms Jumwa and Mr Dori to appear before the disciplinary committee on October 10, 2018.

Ms Jumwa has however denied receiving the summon letter adding that “they will not be intimidated by threats.”

Mr Mramba who addressed journalists at Malindi on Tuesday, urged ODM leader Raila Odinga and secretary general Edwin Sifuna to nullify the membership of the 'rebels' so that they go for a by-election in their respective constituencies or wards.

NULLIFY MEMBERSHIP

“The law should take its course equally and not favour,’’ Mr Mramba added.

Others who are likely to be victims are Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Benjamin Tayari (Kinango), Getrude Mbeyu (Kilifi), Michael Kingi (Magarini) among other MCAs from Kisii and Homabay counties.

Mr Mramba urged the party to nullify the membership of Ms Jumwa and Mr Dori should they fail to honour the summon.

Last Friday, Ms Jumwa is reported to have told residents at Kakuyuni during a fundraiser attended by Mr Ruto and 15 Coast MPs that she will not honour the ODM party summon since she will be busy serving her constituents.

UNITE KENYANS

Mr Mramba further told the DP to stop claiming that Mr Odinga is planning to oust him from Jubilee party saying the opposition leader is a respected man and a leader who had united the country.

“He gave the handshake to President Uhuru Kenyatta, and his plans were not to remove Mr Ruto but to bring down political temperatures in the country after the controversial 2017 General Election,’’ he said.

The MCA insisted that the Building the Bridges initiative reached between President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga was meant to unite Kenyans and not to oust the DP.