A group of female Members of the Mombasa County Assembly has criticized Fatuma Achani following remarks in which she allegedly questioned whether Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho is the political kingpin of the Coast region.
The ward representatives said the comments were disrespectful to a leader they believe commands significant political support across the coastal counties.
Speaking outside the County Assembly buildings in Mombasa County, Kadzandani Ward MCA Fatma Swaleh Mote, also known as Fatma Kushe, said Joho’s political influence in the region cannot be ignored.
“We were saddened to see a leader from the Coast speak against Ali Hassan Joho. If the people of the Coast have chosen him, it is not for anyone else to dismiss that,” she said.
Mote added that Joho’s political presence extends across the coastal region, including Kilifi County, Kwale County, Taita Taveta County, Lamu County, and Tana River County.
Nominated MCA Shuhudia Abdalla also criticized Achani’s remarks and called on the Kwale governor to retract the statement.
She issued a seven-day ultimatum, warning that leaders from Mombasa could organize demonstrations in Kwale County if the remarks are not corrected.
“We are giving you seven days to correct your remarks, or else we will mobilize and go all the way to Kwale to face you,” Abdalla said.
The criticism was also echoed by Mombasa County UDA Presidential Coordinator Mildred Odinga, who said Joho’s leadership record in the region remains unmatched.
“I was very disappointed to see Governor Fatuma Achani attack Ali Hassan Joho. Even though I belong to UDA, I must say the work Joho is doing at the Coast is unmatched by any other leader in the region,” she said.
Odinga added that political leaders should acknowledge Joho’s influence in the region.
“When it comes to leadership and influence at the Coast, Ali Hassan Joho has proven himself, and that is why many people still recognize him as the region’s political kingpin,” she said.
The remarks come amid growing political competition among leaders in the coastal region as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 Kenyan General Election.
