Besieged Balala now blames Joho for his woes -

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Embattled Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala, is blaming Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho for the latest corruption scandal in which he is accused of using his position for personal gain.

Balala who recorded a statement with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission said “vicious and politically motivated attacks” against him had been conceived to undermine his bid to become the next Governor of Mombasa.

The former Mombasa Mayor accused Joho of using his links to the system to create a scandal as a political distraction intended to painting him unfit to vie in the gubernatorial polls.

Balala allegedly single sourced a Sh100 million contract through which investigations have revealed he was paid a kickback of Sh27 million. The government was left with bills running into tens of millions following the botched conference.

The Tourism CS lays the blame squarely on Governor Joho whom he also claims wants his job in the cabinet in the event he is forced to step aside as a result of the corruption allegations.

Kenyan News Day were unable to get any comments from Gov Joho who is reportedly busy finalising his legacy projects as he serves his last term as governor. A source close to Joho refused to rule out rumours that the Mombasa Governor is actively lobbying to replace Balala in cabinet.

Sources told Kenyan News Day that when the two met in a reconciliatory encounter last July, Joho turned down a request by Balala to endorse him as heir apparent and this is the source of bad blood.

Observers of the rapidly unfolding political alliances fault Balala for having split loyalty. Cabinet colleagues and political figures at the coast has often accused Balala of being self-absorbed and highly anti-social.

Many doubt if the CS, who is a former councillor in the defunct Mombasa Municipal Council, has prerequisite qualifications to run for governor. Close associates of Balala alluded to the fact that he lacks a university degree.

Balala has also various been mentioned as a person of interest by the US Drug and Enforcement agency through his links to the Akasha family.

All factors remaining constant, Balala will be charged and prosecuted for abuse of office and corruption. A source at EACC said they were preparing Balala’s file to be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for actioning.

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Joho and Balala have had a frosty relationship ever since the minister fell out with ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga and subsequently quit the party together with DP William Ruto.