THIS MAN JOHO..... ARE WE HEADED FOR A POLITICAL DRESS DOWN BETWEEN CORD AND JUBILEE?

PRESS STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR MOMBASA AND ODM PARTY LEADER HON. JOHO

By Armstrong K. Abala

ODM Deputy party leader and Mombasa Governor  during a press conference PHOTO; Courtesy 

For about one month now, particularly since a by-election was declared in Malindi, I have been at the center of state sponsored machinations targeting me individually and businesses linked to me.

These acts that amount to persecution, intimidation and blackmail have taken more dramatic and scary turn after the by-elections. Suddenly, the government realized I have excess body guards that have to be taken away. It was after Malindi was won by ODM that the National Government decided that I have guns that I no longer deserve and that I need to surrender.

These misgivings have been communicated to me in a most uncouth and unprofessional manner. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and Mr Nelson Marwa, the Regional Coordinator for Coast, have chosen to speak to me through press conferences.

I take serious reservations to this manner of conducting critical matters of state.

I will leave the matter of the guns to go through the legal process that we have instituted in the hope that we can return some decorum and professionalisms to the chest thumping and threats that the National Government wants to call debate.

I however wish to address the more fundamental issues that I believe are at the heart of this grandstanding by the Interior Ministry and the remnants of the old order of provincial administration.

Fundamental abuses took place in the Malindi by-elections that Mr Nkaissery must address and which the Jubilee regime is trying cover up using made up stories about guns and body guards.

Military personnel, complete with armored personnel carriers were visibly present in Malindi. Mr Nelson Marwa was in charge of the National Government security agencies that blockaded Malindi.

The Interior Ministry presided over a major scare mongering campaign. It supervised the blockade of Malindi with military personnel on tankers.

This has never been seen before in a by-election. Just before the elections, the interior ministry came up with a tale that Mungiki and other terror gangs were regrouping. It was part of the scare mongering that will certainly reemerge in the coming days to justify a crackdown on Opposition supporters and leaders.

A civilian election under a supposedly civilian government being supervised by the military is a massive contradiction. The law is clear about the circumstance under which our military can be deployed. Mr Nkaissery and the Presidency owe the country a good explanation on this breach of the law. The Jubilee government must also come clean on whether it wants to run a civilian regime or it is embracing military rule.

I wish to say again. I was elected legally under the laws of Kenya. I remain truly committed to the rule of law and constitutionalism.

I remain committed to the spirit of our constitution that creates two levels of government that are complementary. I demand respect as a leader of one level of government recognized by the Constitution.

I also remain deeply committed to the spirit and ideals of my party ODM where I remain a Deputy Party Leader. I will never betray the ideals and principles of my party. Neither threats nor promise of quick rewards will make me change my commitment to the ideals of good governance and separation of powers to which ODM is deeply committed. Kenya must remain a nation guided by the rule of law. As for me and my party, I will stand on the side of the law and also on the same side with my people. 

Thank you all. God bless Kenya.