Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has dared Deputy President William Ruto to step foot in the Coast region in a bid to campaign for his preferred candidate in Msambweni.
Joho, who was speaking after the ODM party candidate Omar Boga was cleared by IEBC to vie for the position, stated that the DP was a coward who was sending his allies while running other errands in Nairobi County.
The Mombasa County boss declared that he and other ODM party officials would vehemently defend the position which was lost after the death of Suleiman Dori.
"I won't allow anyone to even imagine that they can come and play with us in our region, be it William Ruto or his people. In fact, he is such a coward! He's so afraid to visit the constituency and all he can do is send his people," Joho declared.
"If you're man enough, don't play Msambweni politics in Nairobi at Karen while sending and posting pictures! Come here and let's meet man to man," he added.
On his part, Suna East Junet Mohammed faulted the DP's allies saying that Jubilee party had already declared that no candidate would be fronted for the election.
"Of late, the country has no Deputy President and so Ruto should should not lie to Msambweni people that he is the DP. He is neither in government nor in opposition," Mohammed added.
Their sentiments came a day after IEBC cleared Feisal Abdallah Bader, an independent candidate allegedly enjoying backing from the DP, for the Msambweni parliamentary by-election.
"Let's observe peace and conduct fair by-elections," he said as he was handed a certificate by the IEBC.
At least 11 candidates are expected to be cleared by IEBC to contest for the parliamentary seat.
Four people are independent candidates, while seven are from various political parties.
The seat fell vacant in March after the late Dori died while undergoing treatment in Aga khan hospital, Mombasa County.
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