Respect court ruling on Joho case, Raila tells Jubilee

CORD leader Raila Odinga has asked the Jubilee Government to respect a court ruling on the re-opening of two cargo businesses associated with Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho’s family.

Speaking during a rally in Malindi, Odinga said Jubilee came to power through the court and should adhere to the same.

He further called on Jubilee to expect a tough battle in the Malindi by-election, saying they are ready to win back the seat that was declared vacant by the appointment of Dan Kazungu as Mining Cabinet Secretary.

“When the Supreme Court decided that Jubilee had won the 2013 elections, we decided to abide by the decision. Jubilee, which is the creation of the Supreme Court, should therefore also abide by court ruling that Joho’s Godown be reopened,” he said.

“Kenya is governed by the rule of law and we should all abide by it. The police should also desist from being used as instruments of oppression by political leaders.”

CORD co-principal Moses Wetangula also hit out at Jubilee for allegedly frustrating Governor Joho saying “an injustice to Joho is an injustice to all of us”.

Joho’s woes have stretched for over two weeks after officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations stormed into two container freights stations owned by his family in Mombasa.

The container freights stations, Auto Port and Port Side reportedly belonging to Joho’s brother Ali Hassan Joho, were shut down following instruction from KPA to the station managers dated January 21st.

Without giving further details, KPA Managing Director said the stations would not be allowed to receive cargo from the harbour.

Several Coast legislators have also expressed their frustration over the closure saying the move was politically motivated.

Some of the legislators led by Kisauni’s Rashid Bedzimba had threatened to organise protests should the government fail to re-open the two companies.

The closure left more than 60 people jobless.

Speaking at the same event, Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra said ODM will deliberate over the possibility of reopening their petition against Jubilee following bribery allegations against Supreme Court Judge Philip Tunoi.

His sentiments were echoed by Suna MP Junet Mohammed who called for the disbandment of the Supreme Court over corruption allegations.

On his part, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya accused Jubilee government of frustrating devolution by trying to clip the powers of county governments.

He claimed that there are plans by Jubilee to rig the elections, adding that there have been shoddy preparations of the voter registration exercise set to begin on February 15

He further noted that he will mobilise resources to ensure voter registration is successful in the county and called on CORD supporters to turn up in large numbers and register as voters.

By @benjaminwafula