Govt trying to conceal abuses committed in Malindi Governor Joho

Govt trying to conceal abuses committed in Malindi  Governor Joho

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has accused the government of making up stories about bodyguards and guns in order to cover up alleged abuses that allegedly took place in Malindi during the March 7th by-election.

Joho claims that the government deployed the military, complete with armoured personnel carriers, during the Malindi by-election to scare the electorates into supporting the Jubilee candidate Philip Charo in the by-election.

“Mr Nelson Marwa was in charge of the National Government security agencies that blockaded Malindi. The Interior Ministry presided over a major scare mongering campaign which supervised the blockade of Malindi with military personnel on tankers,” claimed Joho.

“This has never been seen before in a by-election. Just before the elections, the Interior Ministry came up with a tale that Mungiki and other terror gangs were regrouping. It was part of the scare mongering that will certainly re-emerge in the coming days to justify a crackdown on opposition supporters and leaders.”

“A civilian election under a supposedly civilian government being supervised by the military is a massive contradiction.”

The Mombasa Governor stated that the deployment of the military was a contravention of the law which clearly lays out cases under which the deployment should be made.

“Mr Nkaissery and the Presidency owe the country a good explanation on this breach of the law. The Jubilee government must also come clean on whether it wants to run a civilian regime or it is embracing military rule.”

The ODM Deputy party leader attributed his current run-ins with the government that led to the withdrawal of his bodyguards and demand for the withdrawal of his firearm to intimidate him to frustrations from the government after they lost in the Malindi by-election.

“For about one month now, particularly since a by-election was declared in Malindi, I have been at the centre of state sponsored machinations targeting me individually and businesses linked to me,” stated Joho.

“These acts that amount to persecution, intimidation and blackmail have taken more dramatic and scary turn after the by-elections. It was after Malindi was won by ODM that the National Government decided I have excess bodyguards that have to be taken away and guns that I no longer deserve and that I need to surrender.”

He also criticized Interior Cabinet Secretary Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery and Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa of resorting to communicate to him through press conferences terming their actions unprofessional.

Joho, who has appealed against the order to surrender his firearms, said he will leave the matter to the legal process expressing hope of getting justice.

“I wish to say again. I was elected legally under the laws of Kenya. I remain truly committed to the rule of law and constitutionalism.”

“I remain committed to the spirit of our constitution that creates two levels of government that are complementary. I demand respect as a leader of one level of government recognized by the Constitution.”

He noted that he remains deeply committed to the spirit and ideals of ODM saying he will not betray the ideals and principles of the party.

“Neither threats nor promise of quick rewards will make me change my commitment to the ideals of good governance and separation of powers to which ODM is deeply committed,” opined Joho.

“Kenya must remain a nation guided by the rule of law. As for me and my party, I will stand on the side of the law and also on the same side with my people.”

The Mombasa’s Governor’s woes seemed to escalate on Sunday after Coast Regional Police Commander Francis Wanjohi said he will face arrest if he does not adhere to the order to surrender his firearms.

The call to surrender firearms came last week, hours after seven of his bodyguards and eight of those attached to Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi were withdrawn.

While the government, through Interior CS Nkaissery, has defended the decision to withdraw Joho’s security, ODM leaders have termed it as a move to divert the public attention from issues of corruption bedevilling the Jubilee government.

Several political leaders, including Council of Governors chair Peter Munya have called on the government to desist from intimidating Joho and reinstate his security detail.

Meeting with Raila Odinga

The Governor’s statement followed hours after he met CORD leader Raila Odinga at his office at Capitol Hill in Nairobi Monday morning.

The meeting focused on discussing the Malindi by-election and the current government-Joho stifle.

Mtengo won the March 7th by-election garnering 15,582 votes beating Jubilee’s Philip Charo who got 9,243 votes.

Odinga reportedly encouraged the governor to remain firm in his beliefs and commitment to the party and fight for what is right for his people.

The ODM leader also thanked the people of Malindi for voting for ODM candidate Willy Mtengo and ensuring the party retained the Malindi parliamentary seat.

Joho’s visit to Nairobi is a clear override of reports that he was out of the country in a bid to escape arrest for defying an order to surrender his firearm.

Tags:

Governor Joho Joseph Nkaissery Hassan Joho Ali Hassan Joho Nelson Marwa

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