MP tells unionist to shun politics

• Dockers’ boss accused of interfering in Coast affairs

A trade unionist has been told to stop issuing political statements on Coast affairs.

Malindi MP Gideon Mung’aro on Tuesday termed a comment by Dock Workers Union secretary-general Simon Sang’, in support of Cabinet minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, as interference in local politics.

Addressing the press at the union’s headquarters on Monday, Mr Sang’ said the union would back Mr Mwakwere’s bid to recapture the Matuga parliamentary seat, which he lost as a result of a petition.

“We will go to Matuga to ask the constituents to look at the bigger picture and re-elect him,” Mr Sang’ said.

The union boss said Mr Mwakwere had supported them “in our hour of need”.

The High Court in Mombasa nullified Mr Mwakwere’s election last Friday.

Mr Sang’ said the union would seek an audience with Matuga constituents and broker a deal between them and Mr Hassan Mwanyoha, Mr Mwakwere’s main challenger.

He said the unionists would ask Mr Mwanyoha not to contest in the by-election in return for their support in 2012.

But yesterday, Mr Sang’ said he had not spoken to the two politicians about the deal.

Mr Mung’aro, who is also the Coast Parliamentary Group vice-chairman, told the Nation on the telephone: “We respect (Mr) Sang’, but we want him to stop meddling in local politics.”

Neither Mr Mwakwere nor Mr Mwanyoha could be reached for comment.

Mr Mung’aro said Mr Mwanyoha had confirmed that he would contest in the by-election on an ODM ticket.