ODM on Coast onslaught in a bid to erase Jubilee effect after Uhuru tour

The ODM brigade has sought to erase any gains made by President Uhuru Kenyatta during his Coast tour by launching a vicious attack on the Head of State and the government during a series of rallies in Taita Taveta.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho also said he had no apologies for questioning President Kenyatta's leadership and asked him to make good his threat to punish him.

Speaking Thursday in Taita Taveta, Mr Joho said he trusts in God and does not fear death even if he dies for fighting for the rights of his people.

He vowed to attend meetings on issues concerning Coast locals "whether President Kenyatta likes or not" but will not follow him into his house.

On Monday, President Kenyatta had told Mr Joho to stop pestering him and following him in his meetings.

He vowed to teach the flamboyant governor a lesson which he did not specify.

SCANDALS

The ODM deputy party leader accused the Jubilee administration of presiding over several scandals.

He cited the National Youth Service the Euro Bond and Afya House scams.

He said huge amounts of money were also stolen in mega projects like the standard gauge railway.

Mr Joho pushed for ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga to be National Super Alliance (Nasa) presidential torchbearer.

Mr Joho and governors Amason Kingi, John Mruttu and Senator Stewart Madzayo they said Mr Odinga is the best candidate who can defeat the Jubilee leadership in the August elections.

JOHO FOR 2022

The group which included MPs Rashid Bedzimba and ODM chief whip Thomas Mwadeghu also vouched for Mr Joho to be President in 2022.

Mr Joho said President Kenyatta lied that 15,000 title deeds have been issued in Taita Taveta.

He said he wanted to attend the launch of the Mtongwe ferry to tell the President that truth that the ferry is more than 30 years old.

The governor was blocked by an elite presidential guard from attending the event.

Mr Joho claimed that while the Jubilee leaders launch projects worth billions of shillings in other areas, no key project has been initiated by funds from National Treasury in the Coast.

He promised to unite Mr Mwadeghu and Mr Mruttu, both of whom are eyeing the Taita Taveta gubernatorial seat, to avoid a falling out.

Mr Kingi on his part claimed that land titles for big land owners are acquired irregularly.

He said it is the right of locals to get development regardless of their political affiliations.

Mr Kingi and Mr Mruttu also claimed that the crowds that attended President Kenyatta's rally in Voi last week were ferried from Tanzania.

Mr Mruttu accused Tanzanian authorities of harassing traders from Kenya and said that Nasa leadership will help address the issues.