Joho’s Woes With Jubilee Government Deepens As The State Decides To Withdraw His Security Detail And Asked Him To Surrender His Licensed Firearm

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has been embroiled in a fierce battle with the state over various issues but this time round it’s his security being targeted.

Joho’s fall out with Jubilee government was evident when President Uhuru pitched tent at the Coast in January.

Uhuru flew to Mombasa without informing the governor of his visit contrary to the protocol which requires governors to welcome the president when he visits their counties.

Joho publicly blasted Uhuru for snubbing him during a public rally at Shika Adabu grounds Likoni, where Uhuru was issuing 7,807 title deeds to squatters of the controversial 930-acre Waitiki farm.

The second battle between Joho and the government came with the closure of container depots associated with Joho a month ago.

President Uhuru reportedly ordered the immediate closure of container depots associated with Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho.

Portside and Autoport Container Freight stations were shut by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officers on grounds that the depots were used to smuggle contraband goods into the country.

The latest brawl between Joho and the government is the withdrawal of the governor’s security detail. Joho says Mombasa County Commander issued directive to withdraw his personal security.

The Mombasa governor further revealed Chief Licensing Officer of the Central Firearms Bureau in Kenya, Mr. Kimaru, has instructed him to return his licensed firearm with immediate effect.

Joho says he is being harassed by Jubilee government because of his political stand. The Mombasa governor issued a press statement explaining his ordeal:

OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT BY H.E HASSAN ALI JOHO

This evening following the inexplicable withdrawal of the Government sanctioned security detail allocated to the Office of the Governor of the County of Mombasa, my harassment by the state has been extended further by a call from the Chief Licensing Officer of the Central Firearms Bureau in Kenya, Mr. Kimaru, instructing that I return my licensed firearm with immediate effect, I would like to state as follows;

1. As a Citizen of this great nation of Kenya, we have the right to administrative action that is expeditious, efficient, lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair according to Article 47 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of this country. I consider the demand to withdraw my firearm unprocedural and done in extreme bad faith. I consider it particularly distasteful that it would be done through a telephone call. I would wish to state clearly, that I SHALL only consider responding to written communication and due process in the withdrawal of this firearm. We shall NOT be responding to telephone calls from unknown entities in the middle of the night.

2. According to Article 29 of the Constitution of Kenya, “Every person has the right to freedom and security of person”. I, Governor Ali Hassan Joho, being of proven Kenyan citizenship by birth, and like every other Kenyan, I am entitled to a reasonable level of security provided for by the Government of Kenya. Given the unique circumstances of my service to the people of Mombasa and Kenya at large, I would like to state that I consider it unreasonable to withdraw this security detail without a clear explanation of the same. I however am cognizant of the political environment in which this has been done. While it is NOT an entitlement, it is rational to expect similar treatment by the state to all people who hold the position of Governor elected by the people of Kenya.

3. Given the rampant security failures of this administration in the protection of the lives of our citizens. I would wish to urge the Government of Kenya to spend more time improving the security of all Kenyans and spend less effort harassing political dissent. True security can only be achieved when we are ALL safe, not just a select few.

Finally, One cannot help but to establish a sinister pattern in these recent developments. A pattern that seeks to silence all vocal opposition. A pattern that fails to understand that my voice has been given to me by the people of Mombasa, and that silencing me does not silence the people. It is incomprehensible that the Government and Jubilee coalition would take a loss in the recently concluded Malindi by election so badly. I would ask the President and his deputy to accept that the “risk of loss” is an essential part of democracy.

I wish to make it clear at this juncture that Kenyans should hold Coast Regional Commissioner Mr. Nelson Marwa PERSONALLY responsible in the event that anything should happen to me.

I am a devout Muslim and my faith dictates that my security comes from the Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, and not the designs of men. I shall remain firm in my conviction; I shall remain a servant of God and the people of Mombasa who elected me. When doing so they committed me to fighting for their rights and those of the wider coastal region. I shall not be intimidated nor shall I falter. I urge our people to remain steadfast, the end is nigh, this governments time is up and these desperate clutches at straws are but the last kicks of a dying horse.

I take consolation in the words of the revolutionary soldier Nathan Hale, before his unjust hanging, “My only regret, is that I have but one life to give for my county”. May God bless you all and this beautiful land of ours Kenya.

H.E Hassan Ali Joho

Governor, Mombasa County