Mombasa United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party members Friday condemned former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko for allegedly engaging in ethnic, race, and religious campaigns.
The party gubernatorial candidate Hassan Omar and Nyali MP Mohamed Ali accused Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka of endorsing Sonko despite being aware “he is unfit to hold any public office after his impeachment from similar position in Nairobi County”.
Speaking Friday during a meeting with grassroots party supporters, Omar alleged that Sonko had initially wanted to run for Machakos Governor’s seat only to switch to Mombasa after local elders rejected his candidature.
“The elders told Kalonzo that they don’t want such a disastrous person and Kalonzo decided to forward him to Mombasa since it is a dumping site for corrupt, failed and impeached leaders,” added Omar.
Omar further alleged that Sonko is detrimental to the future of Mombasa and called on the residents to reject him in case he is cleared to run for the gubernatorial seat.
“A man with nothing to lose is bound to destroy Mombasa by creating tribal and religious animosity. No worthy leader will entertain a character like Sonko. The American government barred him and his family from entering their country over corruption. If you truly believe in Mombasa County, you won’t let Sonko be the next Governor,” he added.
They said the impeachment of Sonko was an indictment on his character and integrity hence urged Mombasa residents not to be swayed by his ‘crafty populist politics’.
“He has started his publicity stunt of Sonko Rescue service, water trucking while our focus is to drill boreholes to provide fresh water. He was impeached in Nairobi and Mombasa voters will reject him at the ballot,” added Ali.
The Nyali MP said Mombasa has been rendered as “a dumping site” for failed leaders whilst it already suffers from “crooked leadership captive of powerful forces”.
Meanwhile, Omar has hinted that he will pick former Tourism minister the late Karisa Maitha’s sister Selina Maitha as his running mate, a day after she joined UDA.
Selina was a running mate to former ODM gubernatorial hopeful Suleiman Shahbal who had stepped down in favour of Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir.
Hassan, who described Selina as “a formidable leader capable of serving the residents in any capacity”, said he would consult widely before making an official announcement.
She said she joined Deputy President William Ruto’s team to continue with her ambition of leadership change in the county.
“I have joined UDA and particularly Kenya Kwanza because of the public demand. If you are thrown out of a moving object, you can save yourself by jumping into a well barrow. I was promised jobs and other incentives on condition not to join William Ruto camp side but I stood my ground,” she stated.
She further stated that devolution has not brought the much anticipated changes in Mombasa despite billions of shillings devolved funds.
“Our hospitals are in a dire situation. There is nothing much to celebrate in the education sector. My Uncle is ailing from cancer because of the dumping at Kibarani. Mombasa is a dumping site of ill leadership.”
