Governor Nassir breaks silence over blogger gang rape allegations

The Governor of Mombasa, Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir, has broken his silence over the serious allegations linking him and his family to an ongoing gang rape case involving a Mombasa-based blogger.

Speaking for the first time since the scandal broke, Governor Nassir denied the allegations saying that he and his 74-year-old mother have been summoned by DCI.

He described the allegations as shocking and politically motivated.

“I want to give my version. I have tried to hold this for so long,” he said while addressing the media on Monday.

“Neither myself nor any member of my family has ever crossed the line of making any form of violence; my stand has always been that, and this is known to yourself that even when I go out on public platforms my policy is a policy of never mentioning anyone and never talking vulgarly,” he said.

The governor expressed his disbelief at the allegations and insisted that his family, including his 74-year-old mother, had been unfairly dragged into the matter.

“It is shocking that it is now being suggested that I and my elderly mother are part of such a despicable act. Those who know me and my family, those who are familiar with the kind of politics I have always practised, know that we have never and will never stoop so low,” he added.

He further alleged that the accusations were part of a political conspiracy, designed to damage his reputation.

“My family is being targeted,” he said, adding that his family has resolved to forgive the blogger who abused his mother and “leave him to God”.

He claimed that he was being linked to the gang rape for political reasons. He also said that his and his mother's house had been attacked twice before the blogger was abducted and gang-raped.

"The truth will come out. We hope the police will get to the bottom of this... I have been abused, people have tried to physically harm me and my family," he said.

Governor Nassir expressed his frustration with the investigation's handling, especially concerning the arrest of his Chief Executive Committee Member, Mohamed Hussein. He implied that Hussein's detention was politically motivated due to their close relationship.

The governor’s remarks came moments after his County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands and Urban Planning, Mohamed Hussein, was released from police custody.

Hussein was detained on Sunday in connection with the case, though no charges have been formally brought against him.

The release has intensified the spotlight on the governor, who had previously remained silent on the matter.