[Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho's supporter carries Joho-support placard in Mombasa, March 29, 2017. Photo/courtesy]
Senior counsel James Orengo accompanied Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho to the Regional Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices, Wednesday morning.
Joho was summoned by Pius Macharia, an Assistant Inspector general of police at the Regional Police Headquarters, Mombasa, in a letter dated March 27.
This is after the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) claimed that Joho did not seat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, but forged his KCSE certificate to vie for the county's governorship, in 2013. However, Serani secondary school principal Abbas Juma Ulaya released a letter, saying Joho was a student at the school and did his KCSE in November 1993 and not 1992 as Knec said.
Joho also confirmed he sat for the final exams and scored a mean grade of D-, after struggling to pay his school fees, feed his poor family and work after school.
''Intimidation continues, today at 4:30pm I received a summon from Mr Pius Macharia to appear at the Regional DCI Headquarters Mombasa and record a statement. I have informed them in writing that due to confirmed prior commitments I will personally honor the summon on Wednesday the 29th of March at 10.30am,'' Joho said.
His lawyer, the Siaya senator, assured that his client would be vindicated.
Other leaders who accompanied Joho to the DCI include Kilifi governor Amason Kingi, Mombasa Women Rep Mishi Mboko, Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, his Mvita counterpart Abdulswammad Nassir, their supporters among others.
Joho's supporters emphasised that he was being targeted, saying they would stand by him and ensure he is elected governor for a second term.
They said they did not mind his secondary school grade, since he had done a lot for them and asked government to stop harassing their leader.
''I know I will be vindicated once again and this will never deter me from pursuing the transformation agenda for my people,'' Joho said.