Mombasa officials have been conspicuously absent from the President’s events in the county, Governor Hassan Joho saying he was not invited.
Joho and Senator Hassan Omar have not been seen with President Uhuru Kenyatta since his arrival in Mombasa days before Christmas.
The Governor said he was neither invited nor informed of the functions Uhuru has had in his tour of the county.
“I am not aware of anything. These people hate Mombasa. We didn’t expect anything different from them anyway. Let them do whatever they like,” he said.
“It is not right but it is okay. They are the bosses. There is no problem.”
Speaking to The Star on phone on Wednesday, Joho accused the national government of frustrating him for his strong stand in the Opposition.
On Tuesday, Uhuru parked his cars at Barka Restaurant along Makadara Road and walked through Old Town and Fort Jesus to assess the county by night.
The only county politician who accompanied him was Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir.
Uhuru’s convoy then left for Mwembe Tayari, Majengo, Saba Saba, Buxton, Nyali Bridge and Shanzu before heading to Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach.
He met local and international tourists at the beach in the tour that ended at about 11.30pm.
Uhuru made a surprise visit to the Kenya Ferry Services offices on Monday and met Lamu county leaders at State House on Tuesday.
He met youths at State House Mombasa on Wednesday. Deputy Governor Hazel Katana was the only Mombasa official who attended alongside leaders from counties including Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta.
Uhuru skipped New Year celebrations scheduled for English Point Marina on December 31, where almost all Mombasa leaders, including Joho, were waiting for him.
“The President wanted to go but decided against it after learning those people were there,” a source said.
The celebrations had been set for State House but the President cancelled after a list of 450 guests was brought to him, against his instruction for only 200.
Sources close to the Presidency informed the Star that Uhuru is unhappy with Mombasa politicians, Joho in particular.
On December 13, 2015, the Governor told Uhuru to prepare to be the Opposition leader after the 2017 general election.
Noting he sticks to his word, Joho said: “I’m in the opposition. I’m supposed to campaign for my party. Do they want me to be their campaigner? Let them be. Raila Odinga will be the next president.”
-the-star.co.ke
