Awiti seeks elders' support in bid to oust Joho in 2017 polls

Nyali MP Hezron Awiti has sought the support of Mijikenda elders in his bid to unseat Governor Ali Hassan Joho in next year’s elections.

Mr Awiti met elders from the six constituencies where he accused Mr Joho of failing to deliver on the promises he made during campaigns ahead of the 2013 General Election.

The MP asked the elders to support him, saying he will take the county to another level of development.

“For a long time now, the Mijekenda has been left out of government decision making. However, time has come for the communities to unite and demand a bigger say in the running of the county government,” Mr Awiti said.

Mr Awiti called upon the elders to choose for him a running mate who would become his deputy should he be elected governor of Mombasa.
He added: “Service delivery by the county government is at its worst and this should not be allowed.”

WATER SHORTAGE

The MP decried the current water shortage being experienced in the county and accused the government of doing nothing to normalise supply.

“Up to 70 per cent of residents have been affected after water kiosks were closed down and this is unacceptable,” added Mr Awiti.

“We elected the governor to manage our county and not to be a tourist. He has been going around the world without caring about the challenges the people are facing,” the MP added.

Mr Awiti called for an audit of the foreign trips Mr Joho has been making. “If the trips are being funded by tax payers’ money, then there is need for residents to be told how they will benefit them,” the MP said.

“It is also unacceptable that Mombasa, a tourist and business hub, lacks a formula to address sanitation as waste chokes the county due to poor management,” said Mr Awiti.

Some of the elders said they will support Mr Awiti’s bid.

Meanwhile, the MP has distanced himself from the chaos that erupted in the county assembly last week and called on the MCAs to dialogue.
“I do not want anyone tarnishing my name by linking me to the chaos. The House leadership is to blame.”