Embattled Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has now been drawn into a contention revolving around robbery with violence charges, even as his gun possession feud with the government remains unresolved.
On Monday, Governor Joho disclosed a new twist in his woes with the Government, stating that police had ordered him to record a statement against charges of "Robbery with Violence".
“I have been requested to record a statement in Malindi tomorrow against the charges of "Robbery with Violence" that apparently took place during the Malindi by elections,” he posted on his social media accounts.
Joho, however, asserted that he would not be honouring the summons on Tuesday, but would do so later in the week.
“I shall comply with the request on Thursday this week because I will be attending to official duties on Tuesday and Wednesday,” he stated.
The Opposition heavyweight has been at loggerheads with the central government, with his troubles apparently becoming worse after the Malindi mini poll, where he vigorously campaigned for the opposition candidate who trounced his Jubilee rival.
Last week Tuesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery threatened to arrest and jail the Governor, if he failed to surrender the guns he owned.
Joho, however, immediately moved to court where Judge George Odunga stopped his arrest and recovery of his firearms by the police.
“The court hereby grants orders stopping the police from revoking the governor’s firearm licence as well as confiscating his firearm and the consequential decision to charge him for failing to comply with the orders until this application is heard and determined,” said Justice Odunga.
The Joho-Government row has placed the Jubilee coalition on the receiving end of criticism from various fronts, accusing the coalition of resorting to intimidation and blackmail of rivals.
