Mombasa County was on Wednesday treated to very heated political campaigns during this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations with politicians making strong bids ahead of the August 9 polls.
At the Mama Ngina waterfront, Orange democratic Movement ODM politicians led by Governor Hassan Joho slammed the Kenya Kwanza coalition for not being unrealistic with affairs of the coastal people.
Deputy president William Ruto led faction has for the past one week made extensive inroads at the Coastal region, making a lot of soothing pledges among them returning the operations of the Mombasa port to Mombasa should they form the next government.
But Governor Joho termed the sentiments by the leaders in Ruto's camp as mockery, urging coastal residents not to gamble with their vote, instead chose Azimio La Umoja Presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga.
Joho asked coastal people to elect Odinga saying he has the interests of the coastal people at heart, adding that Odinga has proven so by promising to appoint governor Joho in the Land ministry docket.
"We can't afford to abandon Odinga who is about to ascend to power,as a region we will be at the forefront in Odinga's government and this will give us an opportunity to negotiate for our people,"Joho said.
Mombasa county Governor aspirant Abdulswamand Nassir reiterated on the Mombasa economic recovery should he succeed Hassan Joho.
Nassir says should the Azimio la Umoja one Kenya coalition form the next government the coastal region will reap economic benefits.
Nassir emphasized that the region has suffered serious economic setbacks since the transfer of port operations to parts of upcountry.
"We want a stake of the port as a region, that is the battle that is ahead of us,” Said Nassir. The mvita Mp slammed those opposed to the Azimio la Umoja coalition that they are enemies of the Mombasa region because the coalition agitates for social and economic rights of Mombasa people.
"We are defining where the difference is between us and you, if we continue to keep quiet on matters of public important, we will have no reason to seek leadership,"said Nassir saying he has been on the fore front to agitate for port operations to return to Mombasa.
The leaders drummed up support for Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga maintaining that coast I still an ODM zone.
"We are assuring the ODM leader that we will deliver all the seats in Mombasa, we want to paint Mombasa orange because the region has been a bed rock ODM," said Zamzam.
Governor Joho also took the opportunity to laud Odinga for promising him the Land CS docket, in the next government. The two times governor said he will use his docket to solve land challenges that are facing the coastal people.
“Raila said if he forms the government he will reward me the lands ministry,I want to state that when we enter into the government, demolitions will be a thing of the past in the coast and other parts of the coast, “he added.
Joho was categorical that some areas like Alidina in Jomvu, Kwa Bullo and Shauri Yako in Nyali where a lot of people live like squarters. He said land grabbers have no place in Odinga government.
“If you got land illegally, we will repossess it and hand it back to the public, and if there are idle lands, we will buy it and distribute it to Kenyans,” said Joho.
At the same time governor Joho bailed out patients with medical pending medical bills at the coast general Teaching and Referral hospital.
Joho said patients who can’t cater for their medical bills, should be released immediately.
“I therefore want to order that if there is any sick patient treated today and has no money to cater for bills, must be released for free,”said Joho.
The governor then asked his preferred successor Abdulswamand Nassir to supervise the exercise.
“My brother just go so that you can continue with the legacy we have set to give free services,…serikali si ni yetu,hospitali si ni uetu,pesa si ni zetu iko shida hapo..Joho posed, asking Nassir to ensure no victimization.
Similar celebrations were also held in Changamwe, Likoni and Jomvu sub counties.
