ANOTHER POLITICAL HEAVYWEIGHT JOINS WILLIAM RUTO’S CAMP

Hamisi Mwaguya, Governor Joho’s economic advisor has explained why he decamped to Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA party.

Mwaguya, who has previously served as county secretary and trade executive in Joho’s administration, said ODM has failed the people of Mombasa.

He served as the Constituency Development Fund chairman when Joho was the MP for the larger Kisauni constituency.

Speaking to the Star, Mwaguya said his move was triggered by the desire to transform the lives of the people which resonates well with Ruto’s bottom-up approach philosophy.

“We have supported ODM for close to ten years, we have nothing to show for it. The time to have a people-oriented style of leadership is now and that can only be achieved by UDA,” Mwaguya said.

Mwaguya, who will be making a second attempt to capture the Mombasa senatorial seat, said in the 2017 general election he was denied victory after winning the ODM nomination ticket.

“We all know what happened. I won, but I was denied the ticket even after the nomination exercise was repeated twice. I do not see the need of forcing myself where I’m not needed,” Mwaguya said.

During the nomination process, Mohammed Faki was given the ticket and won the senatorial seat.

Mwaguya said Faki has since lost touch with the people.

“He has failed to represent the people well.  Mombasa needs a leader who will represent their issues at the Senate,” he said.

His move to UDA comes just days after Joho’s half-brother Mohammed Amir also joined the party and declared to run for Mombasa senatorial seat next year.

Amir was welcomed by former Mombasa senator and gubernatorial hopeful Hassan Omar at the Mombasa Hustler Centre in Nyali on Monday.

In attendance was UDA national organising secretary Karisa Nzai and county coordinator Samir Abdalla.

Mwaguya, Amir and Abdulsalaam Kassim are now expected to battle it out for the UDA ticket in next year’s election.

Courtesy The Star