Mombasa governor hopeful Suleiman Shahbal at Kongowea market before the Jomvu rally. [Photo/ PSCU]
Leaders from Coast region allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party on Saturday accused Governor Hassan Joho of running down Mombasa.
Suleiman Shahbal (Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant) said the city of Mombasa had lost four years of development due to poor leadership with wrong priorities.“We have lost four years and Sh40 billion. No one knows where all that money has gone to,” he said at Jomvu.He promised to set up a free port in Mombasa to create more jobs “instead of engaging in personal pursuits like the current leadership.”Shahbal, a prominent businessman with vast interests in the banking, real estate and education sectors also accused Joho of attempting to try and divide the residents of the city on tribal and religious grounds.“Other politicians are trying to divide Kenyans on the basis of tribe and religion. We reject that kind of politics,” said Shahbal.Taveta MP Naomi Shaaban said the amount of dirt that is piled up in the streets of Mombasa was unbelievable for a city that is the gateway to the East and Central Africa region.She called on voters to back leaders who care about their interests.Kwale Woman Representative Zainab Chidzuga called on residents to vote overwhelmingly for Jubilee, saying it was the winning team.“Do not waste your votes on the opposition. Jubilee will win the election and will continue ruling,” she said.The rally was also addressed by Shahbal’s running mate Anania Mwaboza and Deputy Governor of Mombasa Hazel Katana, who is running for senator on a Jubilee ticket.The leaders spoke when they accompanied President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto when the two campaigned in Mombasa.