Joho barred from Uhuru's SGR launch in Miritini

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was barred on Wednesday from attending President Uhuru Kenyatta's SGR launch in Miritini.

Reports indicated security officials kept him off the venue and that he was seen arguing with GSU officers at the Miritini gate while the ceremony went on at Port Reitz.

Speaking to The Star by phone, county communications director Richard Chacha said the officials were following "orders from above".

On Tuesday, the President told Joho to back off Jubilee projects and focus on his mandate as county boss.

Uhuru asked the Governor to concentrate on justifying his re-election to residents.

"The Governor has been criticising our projects at the Coast. He should focus on completing at least one of his own, such as building dykes or cleaning the city, before he starts looking elsewhere," he said.

Joho had demanded that Uhuru account for the extra Sh100 billion for the Standard Gauge Railway before the launch.

He accused the President of "oiling the wheels of corruption at the expense of service delivery".

More on this: Back off from Jubilee projects, Uhuru tells Joho ahead of SGR cargo train launch

Also read: Account for extra Sh100 billion for SGR or I will stop launch, Joho tells Uhuru

The fiery Governor was also barred from the Mtongwe ferry services relaunch in March. He was surrounded by heavily armed police officers in Nyali bridge amid allegations that Uhuru ordered his arrest.

Uhuru will take the first ride from Mombasa to Nairobi on the train that travels at 120km/h.

Kenyans took their inaugural trip in 5 hours on Monday.

Economy class rides will cost Sh900 and first class rides Sh3,000.

The passenger service will operate two types of trains - intercity and county. The intercity option will see trains operate between the cities while the county option will make stops at Mariakani, Maisenyi, Voi, Mtito Andei, Kibwezi, Emali and Athi River.

Intercity trains have a capacity of 1,200 and will take four and a half hours while the county train will take about five and a half hours.

Read more: Relief for Kenyans as SGR economy class to cost Sh900, first class Sh3,000

Also see: [PHOTOS] SGR train makes first Nairobi to Mombasa trip in five hours

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