Anania Mwaboza joins race to become Mombasa Governor

Deputy President William Ruto’s Legal Advisor Anania Mwaboza has entered the race to contest the Mombasa County governorship on the Jubilee Party of Kenya (JP) ticket. Mr Mwaboza made the declaration Saturday and appealed to the migrant communities in Mombasa to help him pick a running mate.

The former Kisauni MP lashed out at JP aspirants “boasting that they have President Uhuru Kenyatta’s full support”, saying they will all be subjected to competitive nominations for the ticket.

“Let them know the JP ticket will not be given on a silver platter. We will go to voters to elect a candidate. Let them stop boasting that they have the President’s unconditional support,” said Mwaboza in a veiled attack on Suleiman Shahbal, who defected from CORD last year after losing to Joho in the 2013 gubernatorial race.

Mwaboza is expected to battle Shahbal, who also met aspirants allied to him last week and declared he was ready to face anyone in the nomination for the party ticket.

Mwaboza also criticised Governor Hassan Ali Joho, saying his administration had misplaced priorities and woefully failed to deliver on its own promises despite receiving approximately Sh19 billion allocated to it since it came to power in 2013.

Also in the race is Senator Hassan Omar.

Mining Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala had earlier in the week refuted claims that he was also eyeing the governorship, terming the reports linking him to the contest as “unfounded rumours”.

The CS was categorical that he will not vie for any elective seat in 2017 despite sustained calls from his supporters, saying he is content with the CS post.

Saturday, Mwaboza said JP must adhere with the principle of fair and free nomination and noted that all candidates must be given an equal chance to compete.

My agenda

“Our aim is to kick the current leadership out and resuscitate rapport with the national government that this county administration has soiled so that we can get development,” said Mwaboza.

All aspirants from the six constituencies met at the Mombasa Methodist Hall but those allied to Shahbal skipped the meeting which was also addressed by officials from other Jubilee affiliate parties.

“You can be present and you are not seen, you can be absent and your impact is felt all over. So those who want to contest against me for the party ticket, I tell them welcome,” Mwaboza declared.

Chama Cha Uzalendo Chairman Maur Bwanamaka has fully supported Mwaboza’s candidature, saying the former MP will unite residents and fight to stop drugs and crime at their source.

Mwaboza and Bwanamaka said that Joho has failed to deliver on his promises and even cited that hospitals and other health facilities lack essential drugs and basic equipment. “Jubilee is making serious inroads in Mombasa and Coast in general. It is clear that many people want to contest. We are only advocating for a free and fair nomination,” said Bwanamaka.

Mvita parliamentary seat aspirant, Mr Mohamed Tenge said any Jubilee supporter should unite and rally behind the candidate that will form the governorship post who will win in the primaries.

“We should know that CORD is our main competitors. We should forge unity ahead of the contest for the nomination, which in my opinion should not divide us,” said Tenge.