Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho at a past event. [Photo/ citizentv.co.ke]
A showdown is looming between the opposition and the government after Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho vowed to defy acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i's directive on NASA's adopt-a-polling station plan.
Speaking during a rally in Kisauni, Joho who has had run-ins with the government for the better part of the year said they will protect their votes, adding that as opposition, they are prepared for any eventuality."Tumejipanga my friend. Na kama ni mbaya, mbaya. Kama ni noma, noma, lakini kura zetu lazima tutalinda...lazima kila mtu apate haki yake (We have organized ourselves and we are prepared for any eventuality. But we must protect our votes)," Joho told a charged crowd.Joho's declaration comes at a time when the NASA coalition is up in arms with the government over their adopt a polling station plan aimed at protecting their presidential vote, which the Interior Ministry says is a recipe for violence.“The protection of ballot is our responsibility with the IEBC and we have not asked anyone for help….Anyone who is not mentioned in the circular should be removed from the polling stations by all means possible,” said Matiang’i on Friday last week during a meeting with security officials led by IG Joseph Boinnet at the Kenya School of Government.