Governor Hassan Joho arrives in Taita Taveta in a chopper. Photo: Hassan Joho/facebook.com
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has launched a scathing attack against Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders who defected to back the re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto, saying that they were lured by choppers.
Speaking during a rally in Taita Taveta County on Thursday, Joho said the recent defections are inconsequential to the party. The governor bashed Uhuru and Ruto for using all means within their reach including flying the leaders in choppers for them to ditch the opposition. “Those who decamped to Jubilee, from the Coast region, were lured by plane rides. I heard there is an aircraft that picked several politicians, originally inclined toward the Opposition, and flew them to Nairobi. If it is an airplane ride they direly needed, they should have told me to give them free rides in Mombasa,” said Joho, as quoted by Citizen. The governor, who was accompanied by Kilifi’s Amason Kingi and Taita Taveta Governor Joho Mrutu, also said that he will not apologize to the President for defending the resources of the electorate."Kama kutetea watu wangu ni matusi, basi shauri yako. Hakuna siku moja nimewatusi...wakinitukana nitawaaangalia tu. I have no apology to make. Tutakueleza ukweli vile ulivyo kwa niaba ya watu wangu (I have never abused them...I will simply look at them if they insult me. We will tell you the truth as it is on behalf of my people),” he added, as quoted by the Star.