Cracks in Azimio La Umoja One Kenya continue to widen with Mombasa County government under governor Hassan Ali Joho denying Wiper party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, a permit to hold a rally at the famous Tononoka Grounds.
Kalonzo - who is on a tour of Mombasa - is accompanying former Nairobi governor, Mike Sonko, who is eyeing the same position in the Coastal county.
On Saturday, May 7, Wiper chairman, Sheikh Omar Twaha, blamed Joho and his office for frustrating their bid to campaign for Sonko.
The party held rallies in Shanzu and Kisauni Constituencies but stated that it would proceed with its Tononoka rally with or without a permit.
In its argument, Wiper claimed that it booked the venue two days ago but was yet to receive a permit.
While in Mombasa, Sonko was in the spotlight after a county resident accused him of crying and laying flowers on a wrong grave.
Sonko led Kalonzo and other leaders to visit the grave he claimed to belong to his late mother.
“Don’t seek sympathy votes by visiting graves. It is so disheartening. My mother was laid to rest here seven years ago. Let Sonko find his mother’s grave,” the aggrieved resident, who was overwhelmed by emotions, lamented.
Governor Joho was accused of using the county government to bar Sonko’s rally and instead campaign for his preferred successor, Mvita MP, Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir.
Nassir and Sonko are vying on the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Wiper Party tickets respectively, but both are members of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.
"I want them (Sonko and crew) to know that Mombasa is not for sale. We are ready to take them head-on.
"Wiper candidates should ask their leader to come and campaign for them. ODM leadership will vigorously campaign for a six-piece vote in Coast," Joho stated during Idd Baraza at Treasury Square in Mombasa early this month.
Nassir also lamented that Sonko and Kalonzo were out to scatter the votes of Azimio’s presidential candidate, Raila Odinga.
"Whoever wants to come and face us, let them come, and do not send your proxies. I want to assure you that Mombasa will not be bought. We shall face them head-on," Nassir added.
