NASA rally in Mombasa turns chaotic as Joho, Hassan supporters clash

The Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) final meeting at Mombasa’s Mama Ngina drive turned chaotic after supporters of Mombasa Governor, Ali Hassan Joho of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and those of Senator Hassan Omar of Wiper clashed.

The chaos erupted after supporters of Joho tried to block Hassan Omar, who is contesting for the gubernatorial seat on a Wiper ticket, from accessing the venue.

It took the intervention of police and party leaders to calm the clashing factions and get Hassan Omar to the dias.

Joho’s supporters went ahead to defy the NASA slogans and started chanting pro-Joho slogans every time a leader took to the podium to address them.

The supporters, donning the orange ODM t-shirts, responded to every call to endorse NASA by shouting Joho’s name even as the opposition co-principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka addressed the rally.

Both ODM and Wiper are affiliate parties of the Opposition NASA outfit.

Omar has been a fierce critic of the Mombasa Governor and has on several occasions accused him of mismanaging the county as well as abuse of office and misappropriation of county resources.

Joho on the other hand, has described Omar as a power-hungry leader who is always advancing selfish interests.

In the latest opinion poll by TIFA, Joho (the incumbent) scored a 63.2 per cent approval rating followed by Jubilee candidate, Suleiman Shahbal, with 15.3 per cent while Hassan Omar received slightly over 6% approval.

Mombasa is a perceived ODM stronghold and the party is working round the clock to stamp its authority as the party of choice.

Joho has also been a fierce critic of the Ruling Jubilee Party and has been at loggerheads with both President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto.

Following a verbal altercation with the President early this year, the Mombasa Governor has on several occasions been barred from attending the Head of State’s functions in his own county despite trying all means, including unorthodox ones, to access the venues.

By confronting the President and his deputy, Joho has attracted more support from the people of Mombasa and ODM supporters.

Report by Asha Bekidusa