Abdulswamad picks Francis Thoya as his running mate in Mombasa governor race

Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has unveiled Francis Thoya as his running mate ahead of the August General Elections.

Abdulswamad, who will be running on an ODM party ticket, made the announcement in Mombasa on Tuesday evening as he laid out his manifesto for the county.

The Mvita MP similarly called on electorates to uphold peace during the electioneering period and shun divisive and tribal politics.

"Ati jamii flani haikufai, kesho watamtia fitina mwingine ati wewe dini yako na jamii yako haifai mwengine. Tuweni wenye kuendesha mambo yetu yakiwemo ni siasa zetu kwa kuuza sera," Nassir said.

"Makabila yote na dini zote katika Kenya ziko hapa; hakuna yeyote anayeweza kusema yeye ni bora kuliko wengine."

Thoya weighed in on the issue as he assured the residents of flooring their competitors, saying; "Tutadhibitisha haya tukiwaangusha wale wote watakaoleta ukabila Mombasa."

At the same time, Nassir said his leadership under the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition would focus on infrastructural development, education and revamping the health sector.

"We have talked about health so that anyone seeking medical service can get treatment in hospital without paying," Nassir said.

As the race to succeed incumbent Governor Hassan Joho heats up, Nassir will battle it out with UDA’s candidate Hassan Omar and Wiper candidate and former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko as well as Hezron Awiti Bollo of the Vibrant Democratic Party among others.