President Uhuru rejects talks with Raila Odinga as former senator Omar defends IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba

Former Mombasa senator is received by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto (second right) as Tourism Cabinet Secretary Naib Balala (right) looks on soon after he arrived at the Serani grounds where he joined the Jubilee Party, October 08, 2017. PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

President Uhuru Kenyatta has dismissed calls for talks with Opposition chief Raila Odinga, saying voters would decide Kenya's leadership on October 26.

The President said he had received information about Raila before the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the August 8 presidential election results.

"I had prior information that his hope was that I would reject the court’s verdict and our people would fight so he could call foreigners to mediate a coalition government,” said Uhuru.

The President arrived in Mombasa yesterday for a three-day tour to woo the region, perceived as Raila’s bastion, to vote for him in the October 26 repeat poll.

Divisive politics

He accused the Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) of divisive politics and spreading hatred against his government.

Uhuru also issued title deeds to four institutions, including schools.

Citing several development projects implemented by his administration in the region, the President urged the coastal electorate to vote for him.

“In the last four years we have issued double the number of title deeds issued (in Coast) since independence," said Uhuru.

"I have expanded the port and built roads. But they (NASA) continue to spread lies and propaganda, saying we want to move the port to Naivasha."

Uhuru’s efforts received a major boost when former Wiper party Secretary General Hassan Omar and a host of Opposition leaders said they would back his re-election.

Other than the politicians, Coast tycoon and erstwhile Raila supporters Mohamed Jaffer and Rishid Sajjad also declared their support for Uhuru in the repeat poll.

Mr Jaffer is the proprietor of the multi-billion-shilling sole grain handling facility in Mombasa, with interests in oil and gas in Kenya and Middle East countries.

The Standard established that it was Deputy President William Ruto that lured Mr Omar to join Uhuru’s re-election campaigns. He will be among the three main Jubilee point men at the Coast.

Sources also indicate Omar has been promised a Cabinet position. There are also claims that he has shelved plans to join an international university to further his education.

Omar said Mr Ruto had called him just after the announcement of the annulled election to persuade him to postpone his studies and instead join Jubilee Party.

“It is not a diversion of what I stand for but a change of tactics," said Omar. "We cannot have a situation where Joho is Mombasa governor and Raila is the president; never."

Omar criticised NASA for failing to rein Joho in and for an administration he said had frustrated Mombasa businessmen and made the cost of trade unbearable for small traders.

He claimed his relationship with NASA leaders deteriorated after he refused to back the October 2016 push to have Isaack Hassan and other electoral commissioners removed from office.

Million signatures

Omar said he refused to join the crusade to remove Mr Hassan and his commissioners because he was aware that the Orange Democratic Movement party had failed to get one million signatures to force amendments to the Constitution as it had alleged.

"I tell Chiloba (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission CEO Ezra Chiloba) to stay put," said the former senator. "I tell you my brother, do not go anywhere until the court finds you culpable of any wrongdoing."  

Omar also revealed his connection with Ruto, saying he voted for the DP in the 1997 election, which saw him elected in the Eldoret North constituency.

“I will give Uhuru all the votes I got in the last election. We will team up and I urge you, Mr President, in your second term, to establish a comprehensive land reform policy to end the squatter problem in the Coast region,” said Omar.

Others who joined Jubilee yesterday included former minister Suleiman Shakombo, who vied for the Likoni constituency parliamentary seat on a Wiper ticket.

Former Taita Taveta governor, John Mruttu, also joined Uhuru at Serani grounds in Mombasa. It was not clear whether Mr Mruttu had defected or was backing Uhuru’s re-election.

Uhuru said he was ready to work with Omar, adding he would hold more talks with him to iron out any other outstanding issues facing Mombasa residents.

A source privy to the talks indicated that Ruto was keen to see Omar play a significant role in Uhuru's re-election.

The DP will team Omar up with Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya to lead Jubilee campaigns at the Coast.

Ruto said Jubilee would continue with land reforms and criticised Raila for insisting on the implementation of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission report.

“The solution to land problems is to issue title deeds, not court cases. We have issued 305,000 titles in Coast region and intend to give out more,” he said.