Nyali MP Mohammed Ali, alias "Jicho Pevu," has ruled out withdrawing from the Mombasa gubernatorial race to support the incumbent governor.
Ali seeks to unseat Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, who is currently serving his first term following his election in 2022 on an ODM ticket.
He dismissed his opponents, whom he accused of spreading propaganda about whether he will vie or not.
Through a statement on X, Ali clarified that he would not step down for anyone in the Mombasa governorship race, the current governor included.
According to the lawmaker, the governor's development record is lacking, and there is no room for negotiating his second term.
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"A rumour has surfaced claiming that I have come into an agreement with Mombasa’s Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to support his second term in office in 2027. With the zero development record he has shown, the only conversation I will have with him is how he needs to pack up and go home. To the propagandists, your work will be difficult this time round because Mombasa people will not fall for theatrics. They are desperate for change, and change is coming," he stated.
Ali was elected to parliament on a UDA ticket, but has recently seemed to sideline himself from the undertakings of the party and the current regime.
In the past, he was often seen alongside President William Ruto and was outspoken in support of the latter's administration.
Recently, however, that dynamic has shifted.
Ali, known for his investigative journalism that exposed societal injustices, began to subtly criticise the government, particularly on matters like police brutality and corruption.
He has yet to explicitly confirm whether he has parted ways with the ruling party.
Still, the legislator affirmed his commitment to being on the "side of the people and the truth."
He alluded to running as an independent candidate in 2027, noting that his initial entry into politics was achieved without backing from any political party.
He made it clear that he stands firmly against poor governance and corruption.
The MP indicated he would consider leaving the party if its principles conflicted with his own.
