Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has rubbished allegations by his rivals that the Mombasa County gubernatorial seat can be bought.
While addressing members of the public during a voter registration sensitization drive at Kongowea Ward, Nyali Constituency, the lawmaker maintained that the county's top seat will be won on merit.
He rubbished claims by a section of politicians that the seat could be clinched if an amount in excess of Ksh300 million could be spent in the campaigns.
Mvita MP Abdulwamad Shariff Nassir addresses the press on july 16, 2021. | Courtesy| Twitter|
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According to numerous media reports, businessman Suleiman Shahbal spent over Ksh200 million in the 2013 general elections and also in 2017.
Nassir stated that the people of Mombasa will elect their next governor based on what s/he has done for residents of the county.
"The Mombasa Gubernatorial seat will not be bought. The next governor will elected by people of Mombasa with their interests in mind.
"What we are interested in is how we will grow the economy of the county, employment for our youth, money and businesses for our women, and the education of our youth. That is the only thing that will benefit our people," he stated.
Nassir reiterated that hate and chaos will not solve the problems facing the region, rather, good leadership.
The Mvita legislator further dismissed the notion that individual wealth will have a sway in the outcome of the polls next year.
He revealed that at the time of his father, Shariff Nassir's passing, the veteran politician had only Ksh35,000 in his account.
"I believe that one of the greatest inheritances I got from my father was his name and the good work he did for the people of Mombasa.
"It is not that I don't have the opportunity to make billions, but I was taught better. The best inheritance you can leave your children is humanity," Nassir stated.
"The Mombasa seat will not be determined by the pockets of people, rather by the votes of the people," he added.
Nassir noted that a lot of taxpayer money was lot during the 2013 and 2017, general elections, reiterating that the people will not be bought this time around.
"if you want to go bankrupt, compete with Nassir during this coming election. We will not be threatened by money, because we care more about humanity than money," he reiterated.