CORD and Jubilee leaders trade accusations as Malindi campaigns intensify ahead of by-election

Leaders from left: MP Chachu Ganya, Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho and Mombasa County MP Mishi Mboko dance at the podium while supporting Malindi by-election ODM candidate William Mtengo Baraka at Shella Grounds in Kilifi County on Saturday 20th February 2016. Mtengo was not around during the rally. [Photo/Kelvin Karani/Standard]

Jubilee and CORD leaders yesterday stepped up campaigns for their candidates as the Malindi by-election draws near.

Opposition leaders, while campaigning for Willy Mtengo accused the Jubilee administration of fanning ethnicity and failing to tame corruption.

And at a rally in Takaya, Malindi town, the ruling coalition leaders urged residents to elect Philip Charo.

CORD held rallies in Diani, Kwale and Malindi in Kilifi County where they called on residents to support Mr Mtengo in the March 7 by-election and register as voters.

Addressing supporters in Takaya, Mr Charo claimed that some politicians from the opposition “are now scared because they know that after we enter government we shall stop depending on them.” He was accompanied by Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro and businessman Suleiman Shahbal,

Religious divisions

The CORD team split into three groups and held separate rallies to campaign for Mtengo. Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar addressed supporters at Diani. Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho and ODM MPs including North Horr MP Chachu Gacha addressed a rally in Shella Ward in Malindi. Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo and Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo addressed supporters at Kakuyuni outside Malindi town.

Kalonzo, Omar and Matuga MP Hassan Mwanyoha claimed graft has thrived under Jubilee and urged residents to register and vote in large numbers.

Mwanyoha and the Mombasa Senator further alleged that some Muslim leaders were urging faithful not to take part in voting.

Joho and Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi asked Malindi residents to reject Charo as a protest vote against Jubilee’s policies, over claims of sabotaging devolution and the tourism sector.

The Mombasa governor claimed Jubilee leaders were fanning religious divisions at the Coast in order to penetrate it politically.

“Jubilee leaders are trying to sow religious and tribal divisions in Coast and have also embarked on a looting spree,” Joho claimed and added that the ruling coalition was also trying to blackmail residents in areas dominated by the opposition by threatening to withhold development projects.

“Vote for Mtengo and build a momentum for 2017,” Joho said and added that Coast will only cooperate with leaders who identify with its historical experiences and aspirations.

Mombasa County MP Mishi Mboko and Mwinyi accused the ruling coalition of sabotaging the tourism sector by portraying Coast as insecure. Mboko claimed Jubilee is planning to destroy the businesses of the Mombasa governor and impoverish Coast residents.

“They have been unable to buy or compromise Joho and now they want to destroy his businesses,” Mishi said in apparent reference to closure of Joho family’s businesses in Mombasa.

Mwinyi asked Malindi constituents to “vote for Mtengo as a protest against Jubilee” adding that “even the people of Rift Valley are beginning to abandon Jubilee”.

The Changamwe MP accused Coast regional coordinator Nelson Marwa of scaring tourists by issuing reckless statements on security at the Coast.

“Every time he opens his mouth he claims people are planning violence and this is scaring away tourists,” Mwinyi said.