As the country's political heavyweights continue to assemble their political machinery in readiness for a ferocious political contest in 2022, Mombasa Governor is emerging as a no pushover in the battle to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Whereas the Deputy President William Ruto has emerged as a favourite to occupy State House, the ambitious Joho is crafting his own strategies and has vowed to give Ruto a run for his money.
While recently hitting back at the DP for allegedly dragging ODM leader Raila Odinga's name into his political troubles, the Mombasa Governor said that they are ready to show the former Eldoret North MP political dust.
"Why do you call Raila Odinga a conman? What do you have to be conned? If it is about political strength, you cannot compare Raila Odinga with William Ruto. William Rito is at our level, and you will the dust we will show him," Joho who is also the ODM deputy party leader was recently quoted by Citizen Digital.
And at the time Joho is becoming increasingly isolated amid the growing ODM rebellion in the Coast region, does he have enough political muscle to first water down his growing influence in his own backyard?
Then on the national political pedestal, can he outsmart one of Kenya's smartest politicians? If so, what is his strategy? Well, the game has just begun.