In June 2017, Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho was accused of intimidating his opponents ahead of the August 8, 2017 general elections.
Joho was accused by the then senator Hassan Omar Hassan and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti of unlawfully pulling down his opponent's campaign billboards.
Addressing the press on Thursday June 29 2017, Omar said Joho removed the billboards of Awiti of the Vibrant Democratic Party and Suleiman Shahbal who vied on a Jubilee party ticket.
Omar castigated Joho accusing him of intimidating advertising Mombasa-based companies by cautioning them against erecting billboards bearing the images of Shahbal and Awiti.
"Mark my words.. Joho will not be the governor of Mombasa County on August 9. It is common knowledge in Mombasa, in the media and different stakeholders in this County know it too," said Omar.
"Personally I do not need billboards, our agenda is out there and we have the best manifesto. I will push the relevant agencies to act, I have spoken to Awiti and he has said he has substantial evidence," he added.
Omar who sought to oust Joho, asked the National Super Alliance (NASA) leadership to intervene and ensure that there was fair competition in the race for the county’s top seat.
He also asked advertising companies to stand firm saying they should not allow Joho's alleged bullying and intimidation.
“If you allow yourself to be drawn to a scheme, you lose control of your own strategy, and because of the escalation of the issue after Awiti’s billboards were brought down and seeing a charge sheet addressed to him doing rounds on social media, I have seen it fit to address the issue,” Omar said.
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