Mohamed Ali links his transformation to politics

How engineers constructed Nyali Bridge over the Indian Ocean is the subject of unending, awe-inspired conversation down at the Coast.

And now, debate over that "mystery" has recently found good company in the form of another conundrum surrounding the metamorphosis of Nyali MP Mohamed “Jicho Pevu” Ali, or simply Moha, from bitter critic to ardent supporter of Deputy President William Ruto.

That Mr Ali, a prominent KTN investigative journalist until last year, had switched sides is not news.

But it has been a week of intense scrutiny, especially on social media, after a video emerged of him carrying a brown envelope full of cash at a church function in the manner of Mr Ruto’s aide.

As a journalist and later freshly minted politician who beat the odds to win the Nyali seat as an independent candidate, Mr Ali was a critic of the Jubilee administration.

He did little to disguise his loyalty to Opposition leader Raila Odinga — even after the young politician felt ODM had rigged him out during the primaries.

IDEALS

His gripe was often against Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, whom he accused of manipulating the nomination in favour of a relative, Mr Said Abdalla.

After the unlikely electoral victory, Mr Ali would go one better by winning an election petition against him.

Since then, the former journalist has been facing questions on whether he had abandoned the ideals he stood for as a journalist.

Some critics even joke he has now lost his famed watchful eye and adopted an eye for money.

It was the case when Mr Ali travelled as part of a delegation of legislators who went to the World Cup in Russia for “benchmarking” — also known as joy riding, according to critics.

Mr Ali’s embrace of Mr Ruto continued last week at a rally in Mombasa, where he defended the DP against his critics in the Coast region, especially Governor Joho who he said has “young ribs” that cannot sustain his quest to become a president.

FUNDS MISUSE

What is his response to criticism about association with Mr Ruto? It is all for development, he often retorts.

There are other wars the former journalist is fighting, among them a claim that Sh25 million in the National Government Constituency Development Fund bursary kitty was irregularly awarded to “ghost” students.

But in an interview with the Sunday Nation earlier, Mr Ali said no money had been misappropriated since he took over from his predecessor Awiti Bolo.

“No money has been lost. If anyone has evidence of any misappropriation of funds let him table the evidence and report to Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said.

Mr Ali dismissed the claims, saying those are propaganda being spread by his political opponents to tarnish his name.

PRESIDENCY

As for his brand of politics, observers have different theories. Pwani University lecturer Halimu Shauri said Mr Ali’s is a case of an amateur politician who might face rocky times ahead and has to battle hard to retain his seat in 2022.

Another local political commentator, Mr Robby Muhambi, said the decision by Mr Ali to go to Mr Ruto’s side is an answer to Governor Joho’s sentiments that he was ready to work with the Jubilee administration.

“It is clear that Governor Joho and Mr Ali are not in good terms. To counter Joho’s move, he has to be with the DP. Governor Joho has said that he will also go for the Presidency, promising the DP a run for his money in 2022,” Mr Muhambi said.