Joho interacts with supporters after being cleared by IEBC. [Photo: Hassan Joho/ facebook.com]
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho’s sideshows with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration seem to be seeing no end anytime soon.
Joho, one of Uhuru’s fiercest critiques said the Jubilee government has failed in the face of Kenyans and does not deserve a second chance in the country’s leadership.He was speaking at the IEBC regional office in Mombasa on Thursday, accompanied by family members, MPs, MCAs, friends, well-wishers and party supporters after being cleared by the electoral body to defend his gubernatorial seat in August.Joho was cleared after a long battle convincing Kenyans on the authenticity of his academic certificates after allegations emerged that the Form Four certificate he holds was fake.“Almost all men can stand adversity, if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. Jubilee has been given power. They have perpetuated inequity and sabotaged regional economies. Their policies have not solved the problems of our people,” he said.“Therefore, yet again, as I ask you to vote for me, I implore you to change the direction of this country. Vote in Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka. With NASA and or ODM, things will change.”Governor 001, as he is popularly referred to by his supporters has endured running battles with the State which he says was keen on ensuring he does not defend his seat.The county chief has been a thorn in Uhuru and his Deputy William Ruto’s flesh that he had to be barred from attending the inauguration of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) line passenger train at Miritini, Mombasa on Wednesday.He has, for the last five years, been categorical that Kenya, for now, can only change for the better under Raila’s leadership.He claims there are plans by Jubilee leaders to establish a dry port in Naivasha so as to chock the Mombasa port and render locals working at the facility jobless.