Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir has accused Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka of meddling in Mombasa politics by fronting former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to vie for governor.
Last Thursday, Kalonzo unveiled Sonko as the Wiper’s governor candidate for Mombasa.
Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo, who had initially been issued with Wiper’s interim certificate to run in Mombasa, was asked to be Sonko’s running mate.
Nassir spoke on Tuesday morning during an interview with five local radio stations in Mombasa -Baraka FM, Pwani FM, Sauti ya Pwani, Radio Rahma, and Radio Salaam.
“About a month ago, I travelled with Sonko and he innocently told me that Kalonzo was fronting him in Mombasa. I do wish to ask Kalonzo, instead of bringing issues in Azimio, to come and vie in Mombasa. Do not send people,” he said.
Nassir, who is the ODM party's flag bearer for Mombasa governor race, said Kalonzo is out to bring problems within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance.
He said Kalonzo’s strategy to front Sonko in Mombasa is a scheme to try and derail ODM leader Raila Odinga’s bid to win votes in regions perceived to be his strongholds.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya has agreed to political zoning in Nairobi, but in Mombasa each party has been allowed to front its candidate.
Nassir's bid got a boost on April 17 after his arch-rival businessman Suleiman Shahbal agreed to step down from the governor race in his favour.
He was to face former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar of UDA and Mbogo, before Wiper opted for Sonko.
On Sunday night, during an interview with KTN, Sonko said he is ready to serve as the next Mombasa governor.
He said he will replicate in Mombasa what he did during his three-year reign in Nairobi.
However, Sonko’s bid is already facing some hurdles after two Mombasa voters on Monday evening moved to court seeking to stop him from vying.
Ndoro Kayuga and George Odhiambo filed the case at the High Court in Mombasa on Monday, under the certificate of urgency, through lawyer Willis Oluga.
The two want the court to issue conservatory orders barring Sonko from vying for Mombasa governor on August 9.
They argue that Sonko was removed from office for persistently intimidating, harassing and molesting officers of the county executive, including blackmailing his county executive committee members and chief officers.
But on Tuesday, Sonko objected to the case, saying the court has no power to determine that.
Sonko, through his lawyers Jared Magolo and Vincent Omolo, said the High Court does not have the authority to determine the eligibility of candidates in an election because that is the mandate of the IEBC.
Edited by A.N
