The feud between President Uhuru and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho continued on Tuesday afternoon when Uhuru criticised the Mombasa government over the management of Kongowea market.
Uhuru said the county government has neglected it.
Kongowea is one of the largest open-air markets in East and Central Africa and 30,000 traders earn their living from the market, he said.
“It is like people have forgotten that there are citizens doing business here. There is no cleaning here,” Uhuru said when he addressed traders at the market.
He was with area MP Hezron Awiti, who appeared to have won over the President in his battle with the governor.
Uhuru ordered that an unfinished building initiated while he was Local Government minister be completed by August.
Construction has been stalled as the contractor has been accused of ‘eating’ the money.
Awiti and Joho have been at loggerheads over management of the market by the county, with Awiti accusing the county of mismanagement.
Awiti is eyeing the Mombasa governor’s seat.
Mombasa businessman and Jubilee politician Suleiman Shahbal has also been critical of the management of the market, saying roads should be repaired and lighting and drainage improved.
In a thinly veiled attack, Uhuru criticised leaders who do not protect the poor.
The governor had hours earlier said Awiti usually laments whenever he demolishes kiosks in a bid to move Mombasa towards a serious economic status as opposed to a ‘vibanda’ economy.
Awiti led protests in Nyali and Kisauni constituencies when Mombasa county inspectorate officers on November 27 last year demolished kiosks at Leisure and destroyed property belonging to sand and ballast dealers at Lights stage.
“I thank my brother Awiti because when others were trying to demolish kiosks, he stood firm against it. That is the sign of good leadership,” Uhuru said on Tuesday.
“A leader does not want to see his people suffer.”
There has been tension between Uhuru and Joho.
The President did not meet the governor for 16 days after he arrived in Mombasa.
The two only appeared together at a function for the first time on Saturday.
Uhuru arrived in Mombasa on December 24 last year.