Deputy President William Ruto has launched an onslaught on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga’s stronghold of Mombasa, targeting ward representatives.
Dr Ruto met several ODM and Wiper party representatives at his Karen residence Tuesday.
The representatives have for the better part of the year been fierce critics of Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho.
Dr Ruto met Mr Charles Kitula (Freretown) Mr Fahad Kassim (Mjambere), Mr Athman Shebe (Jomvu Kuu) and Ms Faith Mwende (Kipevu).
Nyali MP Mohammed Ali and former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar were present at the meeting, which Dr Ruto said “discussed issues affecting Mombasa and how we can improve the lives of ordinary residents”.
“The statement from the leaders to the DP is that Mombasa residents are tired of being bullied and intimidated by the ODM leadership,” the Nyali lawmaker said.
He added that ward representatives who have pledged support Dr Ruto are 14, “with the others failing to make it to the meeting because of the short notice”.
“Governor Joho is not approachable and is a bully. That is why these leaders have decided to work with the Deputy President,” he said.
“Today’s meeting is just the first of many. We will show Coast people that Dr Ruto has their concerns at heart.”
“We agreed and promised to support the ‘Hustler’ movement. This is what Mombasa County deserves. We want our people to benefit,” Mr Kitula told the Nation by phone.
The meeting took place just weeks after the ward representatives aired their “tribulations” at the county assembly “which has been turned into Governor Joho’s rubberstamp”.
The rebel ward representatives were removed from the positions they held in the assembly committees.
The five asked voters “to forgive the assembly for its bad leadership and for failing to hold the county executive to account”.
Weeks ago, they demanded to be told how the governor utilised Sh31.4 billion given to Mombasa by the National Treasury and even took the issue to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Mr Kitula said his group is being targeted by ODM and the county executive for demanding accountability.
Two weeks ago, Mr Joho called for a truce between the executive and ward representatives.
The county boss pleaded with the representatives to work with his administration in developing the coastal county.
He also announced a retreat for ward representatives and the executive members “to iron out our differences”.
“Let us move in harmony and ensure we make significant changes in the lives of our people in the next three years,” the governor said during his address to the assembly.
“We need to address food insecurity, the economic growth, employment, agriculture and the blue economy.”
