Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has refuted claims that he used his rival’s running mate Hassan Mwamtoa to spy for him.
Mwamtoa was the running mate to gubernatorial candidate and former NyaIi MP Hezron Awiti, who is Joho’s critic and political rival.
Joho went ahead and nominated Mwamtoa as the executive for Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Cooperatives in mid-November eliciting mixed reactions.
However, the appointment fuelled rumours that Mwamtoa had been 'spying' on Awiti for Governor Joho.
[caption caption="Mombasa Fisheries executive Hassan Mwamtoa greets Governor Hassan Joho after being sworn-in"]
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Before the August 8 election, there were allegations that Mwamtoa was being considered for a post in Joho’s administration.
It was further alleged that the running mate had held private meetings with the Governor’s handlers.
On Wednesday, Joho stated that the Fisheries boss had good ideas and he did not help him “dismantle” Awiti.
“Some of us do things differently and just because he ran with my opponent, it doesn’t mean we can’t work together, the political story ended.
"Mombasa people spoke with a ‘bang’… how can you even want to challenge something and you were seriously beaten,” Joho stated.
[caption caption="Former NyaIi MP Hezron Awiti(right) with his running mate Hassan Mwamtoa"]
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He added: “We have beaten Awiti. Some of the people who worked with him had tremendous and good ideas on life transformation. Why can’t we give them the opportunity? So we are stating he has never been our spy.”
