In 2004 current Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho emerged from ‘nowhere’ to make a huge plunge into politics in the Kisauni by-election.
The seat had fallen vacant following the death of former MP Karisa Maitha. At just 28 years, how was Joho going to fit into the big shoes left by Maitha, who at the time of his death was the region’s undisputed political kingpin?
With serious infighting threatening to tear the ruling party NARC apart, the by-election provided a perfect opportunity for President Mwai Kibaki and LDP leader and NARC ‘rebel’ Raila Odinga to test their popularity.
During the nominations, the young Joho defeated tens of others including his bitter rival Anania Mwaboza to bag the party's ticket.
Mwaboza would later decamp to the Labour Party of Kenya where he received the backing of key Kibaki allies including Ganze MP Michael Kingi, ex-Garsen lawmaker Danson Mungatana and Makuneni’s Kivutha Kibwana.
However, Joho was not alone as he also received backing from Raila friends including the then powerful Mvita MP Najib Balala who also emerged as his key campaigner.
In the presence of senior politicians, Joho talked less but listened more. Using the skills learnt from Balala, he would later use the same skills to beat him. It was then that Joho was ushered into the Kenyan politics.
Though he lost the December 2004 poll, Joho’s future was already written in history. He waited for his time which arrived in 2007.
Mwaboza was ousted after serving for three years. It was, however, not long before Joho and his political mentor fell out.
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