Residents of Nyali, Mombasa County were surprised to find several government billboards vandalised and defaced on Sunday, August 16.
Among the billboards targeted were National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) billboards with messages addressed to area MP Mohammed Ali.
The graffiti was also featured on billboards for road projects being undertaken by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
Seemingly accusing Ali of corruption, the messages warned that the public was fed up and wanted funds from the CDF kitty accounted for.
Ali has been locked in a fierce political battle with Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho over the past few months, and has on multiple occasions accused the Governor of using goons to harass and intimidate opponents.
His response to the vandalised billboards was widely perceived as a veiled reference to the Governor's camp and sparked a heated political debate.
"Politics of hate do not help anyone, anyone who does not like development is a witchdoctor. Leadership is not sought using violence and hate.
"We know who is responsible but they should remember the people of Nyali won't allow small brains to govern them," he stated.
Joho's office was yet to respond to queries made by Kenyans.co.ke by the time of publication. He has, however, previously rubbished the allegations levelled against him.
Ali was among those who backed Kongowea ward MCA Abrary Mohammed Omar when he claimed on Thursday, August 8 that Joho had sent goons to attack his family members over a political dispute.
Omar claimed that he began being intimidated after forwarding information to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) seeking to have Joho investigated over alleged non-existent projects.
"I want to tell Governor Joho that justice will be served. I can't believe that you sent two lorries and six inspectorate vehicles to my home," he expressed.
"You beat up my brothers just because of politics? You send people to destroy my businesses just because of politics," he asserted.
