Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has rekindled his political rivalry with Deputy President William Ruto.
Speaking in Western Kenya, the ODM deputy party leader said he will not support Ruto’s initiatives including development plans in Mombasa County. Joho suggested that he can only support DP Ruto if he stops politicking.
“I cannot go to the airport to welcome DP Ruto even if he is coming to develop Mombasa. However, if CS Fred Matiang’i comes, I will pick him from the airport because he is a technocrat who does not want politics. He is committed to working for President Uhuru Kenyatta,” Joho said while in Luanda town, Vihiga County, Saturday.
Another condition that Joho said can change his stand against Ruto is an endorsement from his party leader Raila Odinga.
“Raila Odinga has not told us to support William Ruto. He told us to oppose him and I am totally against him. My main task is opposing William Ruto,” he added.
These remarks irritated a section of North Rift leaders who demanded respect from ODM leadership. They accused opposition of not honouring the spirit of handshake.
"If you support the handshake between Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, then you must also embrace the deputy president because he is part and parcel of the Jubilee administration," Nandi Governor Arap Sang said during a meeting in his backyard on Sunday.