Hassan Omar Joins Jubilee

Former Mombasa senator Hassan Omar has officially joined President Uhuru's Jubilee Party, weeks after tendering his resignation from Wiper Democratic Party.

Speaking during a function presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto in Mombasa on Sunday, Omar formally announced he had abandoned the opposition coalition.

Omar said that there is no way Raila can be President and at the same time have Joho as Mombasa governor, adding that the combination of the duo would be disastrous. He questioned how Raila would lead the country, when he supported Joho, who has mismanaged the county.

"We cannot have Raila as President and Joho as governor. We must do everything change the direction of the country, " Omar said.

He further added that if the petition he filed in court challenging Joho's victory goes through, he is ready to negotiate with Suleiman Shahbal, who contested on Jubilee party, for them to field one candidate with better chances to oust Joho.

"If Suleiman Shahbal will have a better chance, I will back him. If it is me, Shahbal will back me," he said.

Omar garnered 44,000 votes and came third im the race behind Joho and Shahbal. He said his decision to join Jubilee was informed by the need "to save Mombasa".

"Political process is not an end, it's a means," he said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto who issued title deeds to three schools and two groups in Mombasa welcomed Omar and other leaders to Jubilee, saying they will work together with everyone.

"I welcome you in our team, bring your problems to us, lets us work together and see how we can help our people," President Uhuru Kenyatta said.

Omar said deputy President William Ruto was the first person to call him after he lost in August 8th and encouraged him to fight on, when none of the opposition leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka contacted him.

"August 11th the first person to call me was Ruto and said, 'my friend, don't lose hope, it is the beginning of the journey'," he said.

"He told me, 'you are a young man, come we work together'."