Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Senator Hassan Omar at a past event. Omar says he will not step down for Joho in the forthcoming August polls. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar says he’s still in the race for governorship.
According to sources who spoke to the Nation, ODM presidential candidate Raila Odinga is said to have met with Omar at English Point Marina on Saturday morning where he pleaded with him to step down in favour of Governor Hassan Joho in the upcoming August 8 general election.Raila’s running mate Kalonzo Musyoka, Joho and two politicians from Kwale County attended the meeting too.The sources said that the reason for asking Omar to step down for Joho, would have given the governor “breathing space” on the ground as well as time to campaign for Raila nationally.However, it is not clear who had asked Raila to talk to Omar, the daily added.The Senator on his part confirmed attending a meeting at the Marina on Saturday but would not give further information about its agenda.“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,” the Senator told the Nation.County ODM chairman Mohamed Hatimy said he was not privy of such talks.On his part, county director of communications Richard Chacha said he was not privy to all conversations that took place between Joho and the Nasa principals, but noted that the debate did not emanate from the governor’s office.“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. We have slowed down our campaigns because of the Holy month of Ramadhan but after Idd celebrations, we will hit the road and shake the entire county,” said Chacha.