Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was recently praised for a no-holds-barred criticism of the Jubilee government at an event attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
While addressing residents of Likoni during an issuance of title deeds by Uhuru, Joho questioned why the president
hadn’t met him despite Uhuru having stayed in the county over a fortnight.
The snub is believed to have been occasioned by Joho’s earlier remarks that Jubilee will be in the opposition after the 2017 general elections.
"It is unfair that the President is in Mombasa for 16 days and I have not met with him. This is not right Mr President," said Joho.
Opposition leaders termed the sentiments by Joho as “a principled stand against a moneyed government” adding that he had not been bought off like other leaders.
Suna East MP Junet Mohammed said Joho was pushed to the wall to speak frankly to Uhuru after the President snubbed him for 16 days in his own county.
“We commend him for being forthright. Joho is Raila's deputy and governor for Mombasa and he must be respected,” Junet said.
Joho had previously criticised Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto for trying to woo opposition leaders in an alleged attempt to weaken Cord.
During an Iftar dinner at Arab Boys’ Sports Ground in Mombasa in July 2014, Joho told Uhuru to respect him as the elected leader of the coastal county.
He at the same time told ODM leaders who had since defected to Jubilee to seek a fresh mandate from the electorate and test their political might through the ballot.
“I see my fellow politicians in Coast who when they hear there is a meeting of the President or Deputy President, they run to clap for them,” he said.
Following this latest incident the governor was praised by opposition leaders despite Jubilee leaders branding him as disrespectful to Uhuru who he pointed at during his address.
Joho however has previously been accused of being a mole for the Jubilee government.
MCAs in Mombasa in October 2015 questioned the governor’s loyalty citing allegations that he
had joined the Jubilee coalition.
Joho in response led a delegation of ODM leaders from the Coast to a fund raiser in Migori, where he dispelled the allegations and challenged residents to sell the party at the grassroots.
In Likoni, the governor restated his commitment to Cord despite overtures from Ruto and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen urging him to join Jubilee.
“You have convinced Mwahima to leave ODM and join Jubilee, but it will not be possible with me,” Joho said.