Renaming Of New Nyali Road To Fidel Odinga Road Sparks A Fierce Storm Of Unimaginable Scale

Thought everybody would be cool after a road in Mombasa City was named after the late son of former premier??

Yesterday, Cord leader and Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho brought activities at the Coastal City to a standstill when they opened Fidel Odinga and Prof. Ali Mazrui roads.

Also Read: Mombasa Shut Down As Fidel Odinga Road Is Officially Opened

Critics have fired salvos at the Mombasa Governor for renaming New Nyali Road after Raila’s late son Fidel Odinga.

Ali Mwatsahu, Chairman Jubilee Alliance Party Mombasa County, was among detractors that found fault with the renaming of New Nyali Road to Fidel Odinga Road.

Ali says Joho’s action was a betrayal to the history and respect of the Coast people since there were many prominent people who qualified to be immortalized in street names.

His comments were also echoed by some common citizens in Mombasa who couldn’t understand what Fidel did for them to be honored by a road named after him. Some suggested the road ought to have been named after his father instead.

But Joho’s supporters fired back at critics by asking what Mama Ngina did for the Coastal people to deserve a road named after her (referring to Mama Ngina Road).

Mombasa governor says naming and renaming roads in Mombasa was his prerogative since the constitution vested him with such powers even without the approval of the County Assembly.

Joho revealed he will soon unveil other roads in honor of Mekatilili Wa Menza, a warrior who led Coastal people in a rebellion against the British Colonial Administration and Mr. Sadiq Ghalia for his exceptional work in heritage protection and conservation.

Credit: NTV