Joho denies falling out with deputy

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho flanked by Kilifi County women representative Aisha Jumwa (left) and nominated MCA Catherine Okoth addresses journalists at ODM's Capitol Hill offices in Nairobi on February 12, 2016. Mr Joho said he is not quarrelling with his deputy governor Hazel Katana. PHOTO | JAMES EKWAM | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Sources said Ms Katana’s personal assistant was directed to clear the deputy governor’s office of her personal belongings, before it was locked.
  • Individuals close to the governor are accusing her of campaigning for the Jubilee Alliance Party candidate in the Malindi constituency by-election, Mr Philip Charo, which she has denied.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has denied that there is bad blood between him and his deputy.

“The true position is that I have no differences whatsoever with my deputy, and no furniture has been removed from her office, as claimed. I have no problem with her,” Mr Joho told the Nation on Friday.

But even as the governor spoke, the Nation learnt that a number of Ms Hazel Katana’s staff, including two guards who thwarted an attempt by some county officers to repossess her official vehicle, had been asked to go on leave.

Sources said Ms Katana’s personal assistant was directed to clear the deputy governor’s office of her personal belongings, before it was locked.

Ms Katana has said she is being victimised for alleged links with the Jubilee administration.

Individuals close to the governor are accusing her of campaigning for the Jubilee Alliance Party candidate in the Malindi constituency by-election, Mr Philip Charo, which she has denied.

Ms Katana has not been in office for more than two weeks. On Thursday, she claimed her furniture had been carted away and that she could not go to the office.

But on Friday, County Director of Communications Richard Chacha took journalists to the office to confirm the furniture was still there.

Mr Chacha said that on many occasions, Ms Katana used her boss’s office for official functions such as receiving dignitaries.

“They even shared staff such as personal assistants. When one of them is not at work, we can ask the staff to serve in the other’s office. There is actually no distinct boundary between the governor’s and the deputy’s offices,” said Mr Chacha.

The Nation also learnt that Ms Katana’s personal assistant, Ms Maurine Kadzo, two drivers and two guards had received letters directing them to go on leave.