Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho (left) and Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko during a ceremony to hand over title deeds to squatters on Waitiki land presided by President Uhuru Kenyatta on January 9, 2016. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Jubilee and ODM leaders exchanged bitter words in public in the presence of President Uhuru Kenyatta during a ceremony to issue title deeds to people occupying the controversial Waitiki land in Likoni, Mombasa County.
Mombasa governor Hassan Joho appeared to spark the controversy when he challenged the President not to snub him while visiting the county.
Mr Joho complained that for more than two weeks the President has been at the coast, he has not communicated to him over his presence in the county and was not invited to welcome him at the airport.
“Even if we in this county are from the other side (Opposition), it is not fair to stay within for 16 days (without the governor knowing). I just hear the President has been at the ferry, I am not aware I only read in the newspapers,” said Mr Joho as the President and his deputy William Ruto listened keenly.
“I represent the people of Mombasa and even if we are in ODM we have no problem we are ready to work with the government,” the governor said when he was invited to make remarks and the invite Cabinet Secretary for land Jacob Kaimenyi.
Mr Joho this week complained that the President had snubbed him though he had invited governors from other counties at State House Mombasa since he came to the coast on December 24.
“I can come and welcome you at the airport and go my way. We are ready to work to deliver for them (residents),” said Mr Joho at the function also attended by most MP’s from coast region and Nairobi.
At least 5,000 title deeds were issued by the President in the first phase.
But when he was invited to “greet” the people Nairobi senator Mike Sonko angrily dismissed Mr Joho’s remarks accusing the Opposition of blackmailing the President whom he said was not in Mombasa for politics.
“Whenever the President visits, he always invites you to his functions. You should ask yourself why this time you have been sidelined. It is because you (Opposition) have bad manners of blackmailing the President, you should leave him to work,” said an angry Sonko.
The controversial Nairobi senator refused to cut short his speech when told his time was over and continued with a tirade of outbursts against the Opposition saying he was ready to defend the President whom he described as a nationalist and a worker.
“I do not fear anyone, I have served terms in Shimo la Tewa and Kamiti prisons and although I am capable of hurling insults at all of you, I will not do so because both my bosses are here,” he said as he walked away from the podium.
Mr Sonko gave a chronology of the history of the 930 acres Waitiki farm saying the President started the process of resolving the 18 year dispute while he was a deputy prime minister and minister for Finance.
Mr Joho, the ODM party leader then stood and defended himself against the attacks by the senator saying as an Opposition leader he was not required to defend the Jubilee administration.
“Mr Sonko I am in ODM and you do not expect me to campaign for you, don’t get angry. We at the coast are gently and humble people, we do not reply to insults,” he said.
The deputy President who flew to Mombasa for the function had harsh words apparently for Cord leader Raila Odinga who has repeatedly criticised him for hosting huge delegations of political leaders at his home.
He accused the Opposition of thriving in what he called ‘petty politics of division, hatred and ethnicity’ saying they were outdated.
“What does it concern you when visitors come to my house? My wife Rachael has not complained for cooking for them and I have not invited you to come and help her cook for my visitors,” said Mr Ruto.
But when the President stood to speak, he said he was at Likoni to issue title deeds and not to talk politics.
President Kenyatta insisted that beneficiaries of the title deeds must pay Sh182, 000 as refunds to the Settlement Fund Trustee which buys land for allocation to squatters on behalf of the government.
The Governor and all MP’s from coast who spoke including Likoni’s Masoud Mwahima had urged the President to waive the money arguing the occupiers were poor people who could not afford the money.
They also argued that since the government had decided to buy the land for them, it should go all the way and let them own the titles without paying a single cent.
But the President dismissed the request telling them not to play politics with him over the issue.
“We have waived all land rates including those for survey and title deeds, this land belonged to an individual from whom we negotiated and the government bought. Pay the money so that other people with similar problems can be assisted,” said the President.
The President said there was an option of extending the payment period from three years or to the county government contributes part of the money.
Mr Joho had said the county would not waive the Sh300 million owed by Mr Evanson Waitiki in land rates and could only do so if the national government waived Sh182,000.
However, if the rates were to be paid to the county and should the beneficiaries be required to pay the Sh182, 000, then the county can negotiate to help in the payment, he said.
The President welcomed Mr Joho’s suggestion saying: “If the county wants to get into negotiations I think that it is a reasonable and fair deal by any standards.”
President Kenyatta said he was happy that his government had fulfilled its campaign promise that solves the Waitiki issue and other land problems at the coast and other places.
“I remember giving this promise during our last campaign meeting at Khadija grounds. We said we will resolve land issues but they (people) opted to listen to those who said we were lying and so they did not give us votes.” he said adding that the government was for everybody irrespective of their political affiliation.
Mr Ruto and MPs from the region described the conclusion of the Waitiki land dispute as historical.
“There is no greater dignity than to issue a squatter with a land ownership document. We said we had the answer to the land question and we are happy for the people,’’ Mr Ruto added.
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