Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir has pledged to work with William Ruto for the growth and betterment of the port city of Mombasa.
The governor said Mombasa as a city cannot work in isolation as his sole purpose is to better the lives of the people and citizens of the entire county.
He added that as an elected leader, he will work with national
government to ensure Mombasa people get desired services from the county and the overseer national government.
Last week, president Ruto who was in Mombasa paid a courtesy
call on the governor. Later Nassir accompanied the president in his tour of the port of Mombasa which was the opposite scenario of what met Ruto when he went to Homa Bay on the shores of Lake Victoria where he was snubbed by Governor Gladys Wanga.
Nassir’s move to embrace Ruto comes a few weeks after Nyali MP
elected on UDA ticket urged him to avoid negative opposition politics and work with president Ruto now that the elections are over.
Mohammed Ali
Speaking during a county event, Ali praised Nassir, saying unlike his predecessor Hassan Joho who was full of contempt against some Mombasa leaders, the current governor and his deputy Francis Thoya are working towards bringing all leaders together,
and that he invites all leaders to his events.
“Bwana governor, I want to congratulate you for bringing Mombasa leaders together. We are now being invited to your functions.
I urge you to take a step further, and closely work with the national government for the betterment of Mombasa residents. Don’t fear anything. You are an elected leader. I personally support you,” said Ali.
During the campaign period, Nassir pledged to be his own man if
he won the governor’s seat following accusations that voting for him would be tantamount to extending Joho’s reign as he would literally be under his remote control. Joho is accused of not having
delivered for Mombasa residents for the 10 years he was governor. He endorsed Nassir as his preferred successor.
Joho with Raila Odinga
Joho who was also Raila Odinga’s pointman in Coast region politics was among Ruto’s fiercest critics. He variously referred to Ruto as a thief who would never be elected president, something that has since forced him to take a low profile with reports that he spends most of his time in self exile in Dubai.
Apart from Nassir, Mombasa ODM MPs Badi Twalib (Jomvu) and Mishi Mboko (Likoni) are also rumoured to be gravitating towards
Ruto.
Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi
Mombasa and Coast region which was for over a decade an ODM zone has since been neutralized by Ruto who managed to get 40pc votes from the region in the last general elections.
Ruto has since rewarded the region with two CS positions via Aisha Jumwa (Public Service), Salim Mvurya and Amason Kingi.
