Awiti: I will vie against Joho in 2017

Nyali MP Hezron Awiti has declared that he will challenge Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho for the gubernatorial seat in 2017.

Speaking at Akamba Handcraft in Changamwe, Mombasa County, on Sunday, Mr Awiti said he will vie for the seat on a Wiper ticket.

His announcement is likely to complicate things for the opposition in the county given that Mr Joho also declared his interest to defend the seat on an ODM ticket.

This could mean that the two will either meet in the opposition’s preliminaries, reach a compromise to have one of them stand or go separate ways.

“I am declaring here today that I am in the race for the Mombasa governor’s seat with all the other candidates. I am a Wiper Democratic Party treasurer and I am not defecting. I am still Corded and will vie for the seat on the Wiper ticket,” the MP said.

Mr Awiti earlier arrived at the Moi International Airport from Nairobi and was met by supporters, traditional dancers, the clergy and Kaya elders who prayed for him before his convoy went to the Akamba Handcraft.

He said that he decided to run for the seat “to bring change and to root out bad and oppressive governance”.

Outlining his agenda, the MP said he would end the harassment of hawkers and arbitrary demolition of kiosks as well as empower youth and women by partnering with donors and investors.

Mr Awiti blamed Mr Joho for poor leadership which he claimed had led to insecurity and deteriorating education standards.

He defended his “poor” command of English and Kiswahili, saying his job was “to create wealth for Mombasa residents”.