CORD leader Raila Odinga jets into Mombasa for key meetings

CORD leader Raila Odinga is expected in Mombasa today amid rising political temperatures.

Raila visits the region at a time the Mombasa County Assembly has been paralysed by wrangles between two ODM factions, which led to fights in the chamber.

The two factions, which are accusing each other of corruption, pledge loyalty to Raila and ODM Deputy Party Leader and Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

The governor, who was abroad when the clashes rocked the assembly, had earlier this week tried to end the wrangles.

Reports say Raila will try to mediate between the two factions and address growing differences between the governor and his CORD arch-rivals, Senator Hassan Omar and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti.

Omar and Awiti, both of who are Wiper-elected leaders, have expressed interest in vying for the governor’s seat in next year’s elections.

On Monday, Joho led the CORD demonstrations against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in the city. Notably absent were both Omar and Awiti.

Yesterday, Raila’s Private Secretary Dennis Onyango said the former Prime Minister will be hosted by the Mombasa governor during his weekend-long tour.

“He is a guest of the county government,” Onyango said in a brief statement.

Joho’s political advisor Major (Rtd) Idris Abdirahman said Raila will preside over the issuance of bursaries to an estimated 14,000 students at the Mombasa showground in the morning.

This will be the CORD leader’s fourth visit to Coast region this year, as he seeks to maintain a firm hold of the region’s support for the Opposition. CORD enjoys massive support in the region.