Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho explains why he rejected gov’t security guards

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has come out to explain his decision to reject the security guards sent to him by the national government.

Speaking outside Mombasa county headquarters during the official launch of voter registration in his county, Joho said he rejected the guards after receiving intelligence reports that there was a scheme to ‘eliminate him’.

Joho also claimed that there was a plot by the government to use the new security officials to plant drugs and firearms in his residence.

He further alleged that some people within the government are still plotting to eliminate him and other local leaders following their tough political stand against the Jubilee Government, but maintained that they will not be scared or intimidated.

Accompanied by Mombasa legislators Rashid Bedzimba, Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe), and Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Joho blamed the Uhuru Kenyatta-led government for an increase in the use of drugs among youths at the coast.

He accused the government of targeting innocent persons instead of flushing out the key suspects.

The perceived conflict between the Jubilee Administration and Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho began over a week ago when the governor’s security team and that of his Kilifi County counterpart Amason Kingi were withdrawn.

Speaking in Mombasa a day later, State House Spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said the move was a decision by the local security commands and refuted claims that it was politically motivated.

“My understanding is that the regional command structures in Mombasa and Kilifi are reorganising themselves and I think it would be up to them to respond to any issues around that. The important thing to say is that there is no political motive in operational matters within the police service”, he said.

“My understanding is that the regional command structures in Mombasa and Kilifi are reorganising themselves and I think it would be up to them to respond to any issues around that. The important thing to say is that there is no political motive in operational matters within the police service”, he said.

The two governors, however, believe their security teams were pulled due to their criticism of the Jubilee Administration.

Their troubles were to last three days before the government reinstated their security details.

According to Vigilance House, the bodyguards of the two opposition Governors were restored Tuesday, January 10 after normal re-organization by Police Headquarters.