Former Nyali MP Hezron Awiti has finally declared his interest in the Mombasa governor's seat, ending months of speculation.
Awiti on Tuesday let the cat out of the bag, saying the speculation that had hit fever pitch over his ambitions always entertained him.
There was confusion as to which seat he would go for between the Nyali MP seat and the Mombasa governor seat, with the successful businessman sending mixed signals.
“But you know I ran for governor last time. What else do you want me to say? Can I really go for any other seat?” Awiti posed during an inter-community meeting at the Wild Waters Complex.
This is Awiti's second stab at Mombasa governor's seat. During the 2017, general election, Awiti, who vied on the Vibrant Democratic Party, garnered 4,709 votes.
His declaration was shortly followed by that of Murshid Abdalla Mohamed.
Murshid is an advocate of the High Court, who previously served as a commissioner in the National Police Service Commission and at the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission.
He told the Star on Tuesday he wants to fix Mombasa, which he said has been run down.
The former NPSC commissioner said Mombasa needs a total leadership change to move forward.
He said Mombasa, with a history of over 1,000 years, has faced many problems before, including struggles against injustice, Portuguese, Arab and British rules, and poor post-independence governance.
“But there is no time Mombasa has been as bad as it is today. And it is all because the leadership so far has failed to meet the expectations of the Mombasa people. I want to fix that,” he said on the phone.
Awiti and Murshid bring to nine the number of people who have declared interest in the seat.
Apart from the two, businessman-cum-politician Suleiman Shahbal, MPs Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita) and Ali Mbogo (Kisauni), Mombasa Deputy Governor William Kingi, former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, Dr Mohamed Bahaidar and ‘squatter’ Shafii Mwaganda have also declared interest.
Awiti said Mombasa needs shared leadership in which all communities living in the cosmopolitan county are given positions to get part of the county cake.
“It would be better if each community living in Mombasa is represented in the assembly, in the executive and in other positions within the county government,” he said.
This way, Awiti explained, all communities will feel part of the government and work towards making it work.
“No community or family should dominate positions, tenders and resources like bursaries,” the Vibrant Democratic Party leader said.
He said his party is working on a deal with Raila Odinga’s ODM to support his presidential bid.
Murshid said high unemployment, decaying infrastructure, poor education standards, denied job opportunities at the Mombasa port, among others, are the serious problems he has identified and wants to fix.
The former commissioner said none of the aspirants who have declared interest in the seat so far have shown any tangible plan to solve the issues he has identified.
“After reflection, and the push by the community, I realised if I refused to heed their call I will be letting Mombasa down,” Murshid said.
“We have built our brand for a long time and now it is time to take that expertise back home,” the Mombasa native said.
He said a complete turnaround is needed in Mombasa.
“That is a collective action. We are still talking to people and collecting ideas. I do have my own primary ideas but I am a good listener and a team player,” said the former commissioner.
He said he is forming a team of experts he will be working with to ensure every sector of the Mombasa economy is addressed.
Edited by A.N
