It was no-holds-barred on Saturday as Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko publicly exchanged words over a telling off the Governor gave President Uhuru Kenyatta over his failure to include him in his itinerary.
The Governor who pointed a finger at President Kenyatta spoke at a title deed handover ceremony in Likoni for the Waitiki land squatters.
He accused President Kenyatta of excluding him during his stay in Mombasa and mentioned in particular his visit to the Kenya Ferry Services Headquarters.
“It’s not fair,†he said. “Because I have no problem working with the national government in the interest of my people.â€
He also said his County government would not be waiving over Sh300 million in land rates owed on the 930-acre parcel of land. Joho said his government would only do so should President Kenyatta waive the payments due to the Settlement Fund by the squatters.
President Kenyatta’s disapproval of Joho’s conduct was evident when the Governor objectified nominated Senator Naisula Lesuuda as he called her to the microphone, Governor Joho then went on to give Uhuruto a LIVE dressing down infront of media cameras and cheering Mombasa residents
When the President himself rose to give his address, he made it clear that he was not happy with Joho’s, “politicisation,†of the Waitiki land issue. He said the Governor had the option of settling with the settlement fund on behalf of the squatters.
He also made it clear that his ascension to office was not helped by the coastal vote and that Joho at the end of the day was the opposition.
President Kenyatta’s displeasure was evident at the end of the ceremony when he appeared to walk away from Joho in a huff.
Meanwhile the president was later seen waving at empty streets as he tried to conclude his longest stay in Mombasa ever – see photo below
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