[Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti during the unveiling of the Mwamba Statue on Saturday. There have been rumours that the two leaders could join forces in the race for Mombasa's top seat Courtesy: The Star]
Nyali MP and Mombasa governorship hopeful Hezron Awiti's Vibrant Democratic Party (VDP) has dismissed media reports suggesting that the legislator could partner with Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho ahead of the August polls.
The reports emerged over the weekend following a rare show of unity between the two leaders during the unveiling of the Mwamba Statue on Saturday.
According to VDP's Deputy Secretary General Millicent Adhiambo, Awiti was firmly in the race to succeed governor Joho, rubbishing the possibility of the two leaders joining forces.
“Our leader shared the platform as a matter of courtesy and protocol. Any political misinterpretations, as are being hawked by certain panicked quarters, should be dismissed and treated with the contempt they deserve,” she said on Tuesday during a press briefing in Mombasa.
Awiti joined VDP two weeks ago after ditching Wiper Party, citing frustrations from the party's top leadership.
He is expected to square it out with governor Joho (ODM), Senator Hassan Omar (Wiper) and Suleiman Shahbal (Jubilee) during the August polls.