Uhuru has snubbed me in Mombasa, says Joho

President Uhuru Kenyatta during a Q&A session during a Coast Region youth delegation at State House, Mombasa.

A furious Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho yesterday told of his frustrations during President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Coast tour, saying he had been sidelined and was just seeing “Uhuru walking around”.
Joho and Senator Hassan Omar have not been seen with the President in public since he arrived in Mombasa a few days before Christmas.
Yesterday Joho said he has been targeted unfairly for frustration by the national government because he is a staunch member of the opposition.
Speaking to the Star in a phone interview, he confirmed he had not been invited to or informed of any of the functions or events that Uhuru has held in Mombasa.
Joho said: “I am not aware of anything. They are just walking around. It’s not right. But it is okay. They are the bosses. There is no problem.”
Munyori Buku, the deputy director of communications at State House, did not answer calls or reply to text messages when contacted for comment.
A bitter Joho went on: “These people [Kenyatta and his team] have hatred for Mombasa. But it is okay. We didn’t expect anything [different] from them anyway. Let them do whatever they like.”
Uhuru on Tuesday evening walked through some Mombasa streets to assess the county by night.
His cars were parked outside Barka Restaurant along Makadara Road and his party walked through Old Town and Fort Jesus.
He was accompanied by Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir, who was the only Mombasa politician present.
None of the Mombasa county government officials were present either.
From Fort Jesus, Uhuru was driven to Mwembe Tayari at a snail’s pace as he observed Mombasa by night.
He went to Majengo Saba Saba, through to Buxton and the Nyali Bridge, from where the convoy drove to Shanzu before coming back to Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach, where he met some local and international tourists.
The presidential party ended the tour at around 11.30pm.
Political pundits say Omar has always been absent during Presidential functions in Mombasa and that it is no surprise to see him absent this time too.
“It is Joho’s absence that raises eyebrows. Their relationship has always been tension-ridden,” said a political analyst close to Joho.
Uhuru made a surprise visit to the Kenya Ferry Services offices on Monday and met Lamu county leaders at State House on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, he met youth from the Coast at State House, Mombasa. Leaders from other counties,including Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta, were also present.
Sources close to the Presidency informed the Star that Uhuru is unhappy with Mombasa politicians, especially Joho, who on December 13 last year told him to prepare to be the opposition leader after the 2017 polls. Joho spoke during a funds drive in aid of women in the county in Treasury Square