The Somali community in Mombasa has resolved to endorse Governor Hassan Joho, who is seeking re-election, before Ramadhan ends.
Chairman Abdulrahman Yusuf said they will make a major declaration and launch a campaign to ensure Joho retains his seat.
Secretary general and youth leader Hussein
Mohammed said:
“We have organised Iftar which various leaders are expected to attend and endorse Joho and the National Super Alliance."
Ibrahim is also ANC candidate for Changamwe MP.
Joho is deputy leader of ODM, whose leader is NASA flag bearer Raila Odinga.
Ibrahim said the decision was unanimous and that it was based on the privileges the community has enjoyed under Joho's leadership.
He noted they were allocated two powerful slots in county chief’s administration, one being the executive county administrator post held by Idris Abdulrahman.
The Governor will battle it out with Suleiman Shahbal (Jubilee) Senator Hassan Omar (Wiper) and Hezron Awiti (Vibrant Democratic Party).
They have all criticised Joho's administration and made promises for development and fair resource distribution.
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Speaking to The Star, Yusuf accused Changamwe Jubilee Aspirant Abdi Daib of betraying the community.
Daib, a lecturer at Kenyatta University’s Mombasa campus, has said will floor incumbent Omar Mwinyi (ODM) who won the 2013 election with 15,923 votes.
Yusuf said Daib was swayed to join the ruling coalition for selfish gains.
Changamwe witnessed the transfer of about 20,000 voters, mostly of the Somali community, from Mariakani, Taru and Samburu.
They said they will support the incumbent Omar Mwinyi.
In February, Yussuf’s camp asked Aden Duale to stop meddling with Mombasa's political affairs.
The chairman said Duale, who is National Assembly Majority leader and Garissa Town MP, cannot "dictate" who the community should vote for on August 8.
Duale said Joho should not get a second term for what he termed poor leadership and subjecting the Somali community to neglect.
But Yusuf said they have benefited immensely under his leadership and that Duale's claim was unfounded.
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