Nakuru ODM Sub-branch chairman Dennis Okomol has supported the move by Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho to rename a Mombasa road after the CORD leader’s late son Fidel Odinga.
Amid criticism by a section of Nakuru residents, Okomol has said that the move to rename Fidel Odinga road which was formerly known as New Nyali Road should not be criticised saying it was mooted months back.
“Joho had promised to honour the late Fidel by naming one road after him during his burial and people should stop seeing political expediency in the move,” said the abrasive ODM chairman.
Governor Joho in renaming the road had said that Fidel was a special child who had been born while his father was in detention and had hence missed his father’s love.
However, a section of Nakuru residents feel that Joho had misused the powers bestowed on him by the constitution to reward a friend.
“It is against the law to award public benefit to an individual,” said a Nakuru County official who chose to remain anonymous adding that the honour should have been bestowed on someone who has sacrificed for the country.
Nakuru County University Students Association (NACUSA) chairman Joseph Kariuki said that the renaming of the road was just an excuse for Cord leaders to visit the Coast.
“With the coming by election, the Cord fraternity was looking for an excuse to flock to the Coast to counter the gains made by the president and Joho provided that excuse,” said Kariuki.