Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho during a past media briefing. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is expected to take a short break from NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga’s national campaigns.The Governor’s office has confirmed that Joho will be in Mecca, Saudia Arabia for the Umra pilgrimage for two weeks.However, reports in a section of media had indicated that the outspoken Governor had withdrawn from Raila’s campaigns to focus on his re-election bid due to the stiff competition he was facing on the ground. Joho has since dismissed the claims.Last week, Joho declared he would focus on campaigning for his ODM party leader, to ensure he wrestles power from President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August polls.The county boss has tasked MPs Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita), Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), and Jomvu’s Badi Twalib to spearhead his campaigns in Mombasa.The Governor’s two main opponents in the Mombasa governor race, Jubilee’s Suleiman Shahbal and Wiper’s Senator Hassan Omar have intensified their campaigns on the ground, carrying out door to door campaigns in areas perceived to be Joho’s strongholds such as Majengo, Mvita, Kisauni, and Nyali. The two have been at the forefront of criticising Joho’s administration, arguing that he has failed residents in the county.Citing the launch of the Msikiti Noor-Mtaa wa Makaa road and the commissioning of the construction of the Mtopanga Gas Field-Kwa Bulo road, Shahbal and Omar accused Joho of launching last minute projects to woo voters to support his re-election.They both have urged residents to vote out Joho come August 8.Joho, however, on Tuesday defended his development record, saying his administration has implemented several projects in the county.“During my first term in office, the county government of Mombasa has constructed 58 kilometres of cabro-standard roads,” said Joho during his tour of Nyali constituency.
Joho's rivals are likely to use the Governor's trip to Saudia Arabia to water down his popularity in the county.