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Kenya: Hassan Joho Kin Mohammed Amir Dumps ODM for Ruto’s Uda

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4 years ago

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Deputy President William Ruto has claimed a big political win after a member of the powerful Joho family joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Governor Hassan Ali Joho’s cousin, Mr Mohammed Amir, yesterday joined UDA as he plans to vie for the Mombasa senatorial seat on the party’s ticket in the 2022 General Election.

It’s a significant victory for the DP in a region that has stuck with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the last three election cycles, given the financial muscles of the family and their influence in local politics.

While Mr Amir’s move might create divisions in the family, the jury is out on whether it will tip the scales in favour of Dr Ruto in Mombasa politics.

Received in UDA by former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, Mr Amir took a swipe at his cousin’s administration, saying Governor Joho had failed to lift the people of Mombasa out of poverty.

“He received funds from the national government, but there’s nothing to show for it. As a leader, you must find a mechanism to help your people. Give us a solution; you have the resources,” he said.

Mr Amir cited the challenges of water in Mombasa, where slum dwellers depend on donations.

“We now have Dr Ruto, who is going to deliver that vision for the people. Opportunities were around to help but they failed. Look at Bangladesh, people are struggling due to lack of water yet we have leaders who have been in power for so many years,” he said. “I hope voters will heed my call and give me a chance. If we want to change Mombasa, we need to support the DP; we have suffered enough.”