Details have emerged on how a section of coastal legislators hatched a plot to skip the launching of the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa, on Monday, graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Reports by The Standard indicate a meeting took place between Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and the MPs, who approached him seeking advice on whether or not to attend the launching of the maritime academy.
"It is true that we met at the governor's residence and vowed not to attend the event, however, I personally saw it fit to attend it to support my governor (Joho) as he hosted the president," Jomvu MP, Badi Twalib, told reporters covering the launch.
However, a pool of the lawmakers attended the official commission of the academy as a landmark figure in the blue economy sector attended though halfheartedly.
Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir led the legislators who attended the commissioning event. The aforementioned MP has been on the forefront to propel the project's completion amidst opposition and criticism from other leaders in the region.
The meeting at the governor's residence reportedly took place, on Sunday evening, where Joho heard the MPs' pleas urging him to boycott the event, but still played the role of welcoming the Head of State, when Bandari Maritime Academy was launched.
Organizers of the event had earlier on reported their worries concerning the attendance of the MPs following their tough stance on not showing up.
The lawmakers would not have been invited to the event had it not been for the intervention of the Chairperson of the Blue Economy Committee, General Samson Mwathethe.
Governor Joho, well aware of the tension during the launching program, took the opportunity to urge all politicians in the coast region to unite and work together.
Owing to the governor's attendance, several lawmakers made an effort to show up for the event. Likoni MP, Mishi Mboko, Teddy Mwambire (Ganze), Omari Mwinyi (Changamwe), Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Jonas Mlolwa (Voi) Ken Chonga (Kilifi Kusini), William Kamoti (Rabai), Naomi Shaban (Taveta) na Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi) were in attendance to show solidarity with their county boss.
