Kimani Ichung'wa Goes After Joho With Angry Outburst

Kikuyu Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ichung'wa on Tuesday, September 24, went after Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho with angry comments.

During a parliamentary sitting, Ichungwa asked Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir to confidently condemn his governors actions over claims that people were being forcefully asked to use the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to transport cargo. 

"Hon Nassir you must be bold enough to tell your governor that he must be sincere to the people of Mombasa. If there is anyone killing the economy of Mombasa, it is your own people," he stressed.

This was after Nassir questioned the issue of cartelization in the transportation of cargo from Mombasa to other parts of the country, a motion that had been initially suspended.

The Kikuyu MP also angrily condemned Joho over the matter, insinuating that he was behind the dying business along the Nairobi-Mombasa road.

He also laid bare Nassir's plan to contest for governorship, asking him to declare where his loyalty lay, whether it was for the 'oppressed Mombasa residents' or his governor.

He went on to add that those who were benefitting from the SGR, three years ago had been on the front line of opposing it but tables had since turned, and they were now supporting the use of the railway because they were gaining from it.

According to the Kikuyu MP, such personal interests were killing the once-thriving transportation business.

"I'm not looking at Hon. Nassir because I know you want to be the Governor of Mombasa. I will not name the concerned persons because they will not be able to defend themselves here."

"Nassir seeks to succeed as governor in Mombasa, however, these leaders must declare their interests and be honest with the people of Mombasa. You cannot feed on the blood of your people and expect to get away with it," he warned.

Reports by other members of Parliament who spoke on the issue outlined that businessmen were being forced to transport cargo via the SGR which was more expensive as compared to doing so by road.

The MP for Central Imenti, Kirima Nguchine, also claimed that the road was empty and that there were no trailers transporting goods since the SGR took over.