[Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar. He is eyeing the Mombasa governorship seat on a Wiper Party ticket. Courtesy: The Star]
Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar has dismissed calls by a section of Opposition coalition NASA leaders to quit the gubernatorial race in favour of the incumbent governor Ali Hassan Joho.
Speaking to the Daily Nation on Tuesday, the lawmaker noted that he was ready to battle it out with the outspoken county chief, who pundits argue that he is as good as reelected.
He added that his candidature has gained enough ground to sustain a stiffened campaign against Joho.
“At the moment there is no turning back because we have already done a lot and gained ground. Whoever might even be thinking of such a thing should forget it,” he noted.
Sentiments that Mombasa County Director of Communication Richard Chacha dismissed, maintaining that Joho would be reelected without much hassle.“For us, we are not worried about Omar and whether he runs or not, we are not threatened because the governor is going to retain his seat," Chacha noted.The seat has also attracted the interest of Nyali MP Hezron Awiti of VDM and Jubilee Party's Suleiman Shabhal.Joho will be seeking re-election on an ODM Party ticket.