Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho risks losing his seat over his criminal record from a case where he was convicted of contempt of court in May 2021.
A report by the Nation on Wednesday, August 4, indicated that a businessman identified as Ashok Doshi and his wife Pratibha filed a suit seeking to have Joho barred from occupying public office.
The two argued that the governor breached Chapter six of the Constitution by trespassing the property of the billionaire.
Joho was in May sentenced 60 days in jail - with the option of a Ksh250,000 fine. He was convicted alongside Changamwe MCA Bernand Ogutu who was fined Ksh250,000.
In their court papers, the Mombasa couple argues that Joho being found guilty was prove that he did not show respect for the people enough to occupy an elective post.
They told the court that the governor and the MCA did not demonstrate the good governance and transparency required to occupy the office.
“The respondents used the power and authority bestowed upon them as Governor and MCA to disregard and disobey a lawful court order,” read the petition in part.
In his papers in 2019, Doshi claimed that his plot was raided by Mombasa County officers - resulting in damage.
During his ruling, Justice Munyao Sila noted that leaders breaking the law in the name of enforcing rules was not setting a good example for the masses.
He later barred the officers from Mombasa County from accessing the property.
“Kenyans love peace and would like to live in a country where leaders lead from the front in respecting the rule of law.
“We want to live in a country that respects the rule of law and obeys a court order,” ruled the judge at the time.
