MOMBASA: A video clip has emerged showing Mombasa gubernatorial loser in the 2013 general election Suleiman Shahbal threatening that Jubilee will win the 2017 polls through fair or foul means, including through force and fraud.
Suleiman, a wealthy businessman, delivered the now controversial statement on Sunday at a meeting at Pwani University in Kilifi County attended by Deputy President William Ruto, National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale.
The controversial politician warned that "we will win the 2017 election by force" and declared that the ruling coalition was prepared for any consequences of a flawed poll.
He angrily asked the crowd he was addressing to support his proposal as other leaders presented looked in shock and horror.
"I would like to tell you that we shall win the 2017 election. We shall win the 2017 elections by force. We shall buy it, we shall steal it, whatever it will be," said Shahbal as Deputy President William Ruto and National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale looked in shock and embarrassment.
Shahbal's remark has caused a storm on social media and prompted the Mombasa branch of The National Alliance TNA to denounce the businessman who defected from CORD mid last year and has promised to convert Mombasa into a Jubilee zone. Shahbal has declared himself the interim chairman of the newly launched Jubilee Party.
Jubilee Party Alliance officials in Mombasa Tuesday criticized Shahbal describing his statement as reckless and warned what the politician said could paint President Uhuru Kenyatta's government as corrupt.
JAP Coast coordinator Farid Swaleh said Tuesday that Shahbal should be stripped off the party position because he does not represent the ideals and aspiration of the ruling coalition.
"How can he be that reckless? He has contradicted the President and the Deputy President who have vowed to fight corruption in all spheres. For him to say that we will steal election he shows us how is disconnected from President Uhuru's aspirations," said Mr Swaleh.
He called on the President Uhuru to rein in on what he termed as "arrogance and chest umping" of some JAP officials who defected from Cord recently, saying their continued stay in Jubilee will cost the party in the next election.
"Last election we were able to get 25 percent of the total votes cast in the region. Our aim was to raise that to 50 percent in the coming election but how can we do that with such reckless statements," said Farid.
The Standard has established that state and Jubilee operatives who organized the meeting were not aware that there was a private media cameraman at the venue.
In the clip Shahbal appears to be addressing a cheering crowd regarding the March 7 by election in Malindi and the 2017 general election when he suddenly turns around gesticulating with a pointed finger in apparent rage.
After the controversial remark Shahbal turns back and forth pointing his index finger seeking the crowd’s approval.
"Do you agree [with what I have said] or not?" he asks and a section of the crowd roars in affirmation.
One of the versions doing rounds on social media platforms shows a still photograph of Likoni MP Masood Mwahima at the gates of Mombasa Statehouse holding a brown envelop that has ostensibly been stuffed with cash.
Reactions on Facebook were furious Tuesday with most commentators criticizing Shahbal's speech.
An account on Facebook under the name Abdalla Juma warns in reference to Shahbal, "You are just blowing your trumpet for nothing, the result of which you will contact TB when Joho, the people's choice trounces you."
Others at Sunday's meeting were Kilifi South MP. Mustafa Iddi, Magarini MP Harrison Kombe, Kilifi North MP. Gideon Munga’ro, Ganze MP. Peter Shehe, Linga Lunga MP Khatib Mwashetani and newly appointed Mining Cabinet Secretary Dan Kazungu.
