Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, through his communication director Richard Chacha, has denied claims that he cut a deal with Hassan Omar to drop poll petition.

Speaking exclusively to via on Thursday morning, Mr Chacha termed as hot air earlier claims that the governor held talks with Hassan Omar to withdraw a petition that was lodged to challenge his August 8, 2017 victory.

Speculations were rife on Thursday morning after the published a story ‘Omar cut a deal with Joho to drop divisive petition, say allies’, in which the governors was framed to have held meetings with his rival, a move which resulted into the withdrawal of the petition.

“That’s hot air. We have not and we will not hold any meeting with anyone. I have read the story; no one is quoted speaking to any of us. Why would they frame us?” Chacha paused.

The publication carried by the local daily reported that the governor hoodwinked Mr Omar in the guise of backing his 2022 gubernatorial ambition for the coastal county. Mr Omar, the paper noted, “would need support from the coastal kingpin to sail through the 2022 race.”

It added: “Withdrawal of the poll petition by former Senator Hassan Omar against Governor Hassan Joho was a calculated strategy to secure Omar’s interests ahead of 2022.”

On Tuesday, however, Mr Omar and his running mate Linda Shuma said they no longer have confidence on the neutrality of Justice Lydia Achode hearing the petition and believe they will not get justice.

Through lawyer Yusuf Aboubakar, Mr Omar says it will be hypocritical to proceed with the petition when they believe the court has already taken sides.

“It is in the interest of justice and their legal right to be allowed to withdraw this petition,” Mr Aboubakar argued in the application.