Joho’s nomination sparks political realignment in Mombasa

 

Nyali MP Mohamed Ali and UDA vice chair Hassan Omar 

A political realignment is looming in Mombasa following the recent events in the country’s political scene.

On Wednesday, President William Ruto nominated former Mombasa Governor and ODM deputy party leader Hassan Joho the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS.

This sparked jubilation in Mombasa with different leaders praising Ruto for the move.

Kenya Muslim National Advisory Council chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao said Joho will take the Coast region forward in his new role.

“We only ask him to ensure that Coast residents and Kenyans at large benefit. He should work and justify his appointment,” Sheikh Ngao said.

Already, Joho’s impact has started being felt in Mombasa since his nomination.

During his somewhat triumphant entry into Mombasa on Thursday evening, the streets of Changamwe were impassable with jubilant supporters eagerly waiting for him.

They carried his portraits and chanted his name.

But Joho himself quietly exited from the Moi International Airport, in the company of Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Mvita MP Mohamed Machele.

He was picked and escorted by Mombasa county government vehicles which snaked their way through the crowd, which was informed that President Ruto would be arriving soon.

Joho went straight to his Nyali residence and all elected leaders in Mombasa remained behind in Changamwe as they waited for President Ruto’s arrival.

“The crowd had been mobilised ahead of Joho’s arrival but he was clever and let the President have all the limelight; 48 laws of power,” said an insider close to Joho.

At the stop over rallies, UDA vice chair and EALA MP Hassan Omar and Nyali MP Mohammed Ali rode in the same vehicle, something unprecedented given their fierce rivalry despite being in the same political party.

Omar and Ali are both said to be eyeing the governor position in 2027.

Former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo, who has been eying the Mombasa governor seat as well, appears to have been thrown into disarray following the development.

His supporters now want him to carve his own path and stop selling the UDA party and instead sell himself.

“The Ruto move that I saw in Mombasa yesterday, we need to go back to the drawing board. We need to sacrifice some things for some things to happen. Our 2027 cards will determine our political future,” one of Mbogo supporters said.

According to insiders, a change of thought is simmering with some supporters now asking Mbogo to reconsider his bid for the governor position.

They want a survey carried out to determine whether he should vie for the governor, senator or Kisauni MP seat.

Some of Mbogo’s supporters were miffed that he was not invited to  Ruto’s welcome party in Chanagmwe.

Mbogo acknowledged there is need to re-strategise but was quick to allay fears saying there should not be any panic among his supporters.

“There is need for a meeting and talk deeply about the recent developments so that we know how we will move forward,” Mbogo told his supporters in a forum.

He said he envisions zoning of areas in Mombasa for the 2027 general elections.

“We will be fools if we get tackled again in 2027,” he noted.

The fear among his supporters in Mombasa is that Joho’s entry into government will give him immense power and he will try to micromanage Mombasa politics.

However, Mbogo assured them there is no need to panic saying Joho was there in 2022 and they worked hard to deliver 44 per cent of the votes to UDA and Ruto.

“The most important thing is to learn from the previous mistakes. It’s only a fool who does not learn from previous mistakes,’ he said.

On Thursday evening, Ruto invited some leaders to State House Mombasa and some ODM MCAs and UDA leaders were seen in State House.

This could signal a change of heart in ODM over their view of UDA and its leaders.

Already, UDA’s Omar has warmed up to Joho and other ODM leaders saying there is need to unite as a region.

by BRIAN OTIENO