Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has issued a strong statement denying any involvement in the ongoing investigations into the brutal sexual assault of Mombasa blogger Bruce John. Speaking during a press briefing on Monday, September 30, 2024, Governor Nassir distanced himself from the allegations, calling them part of a smear campaign orchestrated by his political enemies.

Nassir’s statement came just hours after the release of Mohamed Hussein, alias Amadoh, the Mombasa County Executive Committee Member for Lands and a close ally of the governor. Amadoh had been arrested in connection with the alleged assault case.

Highlights:

• Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir denies involvement in blogger’s assault case.
• The governor’s close ally, Mohamed Hussein (Amadoh), was arrested and later released.
• The governor claims to have received over 800 messages from the victim, Bruce John.
• Four suspects were arrested earlier, with the governor accusing his enemies of trying to tarnish his reputation.

Governor Distances Himself from Allegations

During the press briefing held at his office, Governor Nassir expressed frustration over the ongoing attempts to implicate him in the case. He revealed that the victim, Bruce John, had sent him over 800 messages using various phone numbers. However, the governor asserted that he never responded to any of those messages.

“This young man has sent me text messages in excess of 800 messages through different numbers. I’ve never responded to any one of those messages,” Nassir stated.

The governor went on to describe the situation as deeply troubling for both himself and his family. He vehemently denied any involvement in the attack, adding that neither he nor his family had ever engaged in violent behaviour.

“I’ve been in politics for over a decade, and throughout my life, neither myself nor any of my family members have ever crossed the line of meeting any form of violence on anyone,” Nassir told reporters. He also expressed shock that his name and that of his 74-year-old mother had been linked to such a “heinous act.“

Arrest of Amadoh

The arrest of Amadoh sent shockwaves through the Mombasa County government. Amadoh has been a trusted ally of Governor Nassir since his time as a Member of Parliament in 2013. The Coast Regional Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed the arrest on Sunday, September 29, with Coast Regional DCI boss Adan Guyo revealing that more arrests were expected.

Despite the arrest of his close ally, Governor Nassir maintained his innocence, insisting that the arrest was a ploy to tarnish his reputation. “People have tried to physically harm me and my family, but we have never hit back. It is not who we are,” Nassir declared.

Ongoing Investigation and Previous Arrests

The investigation into the assault of Bruce John has led to the arrest of four other suspects: Muthoni John (alias Totoo), Violet Adera (alias Vayoo), Abdul Hassan Athman (alias Sindimba), and Haji Babu Ndau Mohamed (alias Achkobe). The four suspects were arrested on Thursday in connection with the conspiracy to abduct and assault the blogger.

According to reports, the suspects abducted Bruce John in the Bamburi Jitegemee area in Kisauni. Two of the suspects have been charged with assaulting the victim using blows and kicks.

Governor Nassir concluded his statement by expressing sympathy for the victim but reiterated his confidence in his innocence. “As much as I feel sorry for whatever happened to this young man, the spirit of my family will forgive and forget, and we will leave it to the Almighty,” he stated.