It has now emerged that a tweet by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho's aide was what prompted the heavy security operation at the coast on Monday.
According to a report by the Standard, Mr Joho had vowed to attend the relaunch of Mtongwe Ferry and respond to President Uhuru Kenyatta's heavy criticism during a Sunday rally at Tononoka.
However, this never saw the light of day because as soon as the message was out, the President allegedly ordered for a tight security operation to deliberately block Joho and his supporters from accessing the venue.
The Presidential directive saw County traffic marshals ordered off the streets as heavily armed General Service Unit, presidential guards, Kenya Police, forest rangers and plainclothes detectives took charge of the County.
A State official told the local daily that they had clear instructions to bar the Mombasa Governor from leaving his Nyali home across Nyali Bridge and also block him and his supporters from crossing to the South Coast until the President's function was over.
When Joho and Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba came face to face with the GSU officers, the Governor was directed to his office where he was guarded as the President's function continued.
The Mombasa Governor expressed grave disappointment at the orders issued by the government stating: "For me, this is what is called backwardness of the highest order. I did not believe actually, I was shocked that GSU can be deployed to prevent me from attending a public function".
"This is evident that Jubilee is using divisive tacts. However, we will not shy away from stating the truth," he added.
In a rejoinder, however, President Kenyatta castigated Joho telling him that he (Uhuru) was not his wife.
"Akuje aambie watu wa Likoni amewajengea nini miaka yote hii. Sio akuje tufuatane na yeye hapa, mimi siyo bibi yake (Let him come and tell you the people of Likoni what he has done all these years. He should stop following me around. I am not his wife)".
Read Also: I'm Not Your Wife...We Will Deal With You - Uhuru Threatens Joho [VIDEO]
