Even as they embark on their ambitious political odyssey to State House, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi have many obstacles to overcome on their way to the top of the country’s leadership.
With four years remaining to the next election, will the two firebrand Governors be able to continue wielding too much political influence to springboard their ambitions?
As they always say, charity begins at home. The Coast region has in the past few months been at the centre of many political activities.
With Deputy President William Ruto making his intentions clear that he is keen to swing the region into the Jubilee formation, a good number of MPs have switched allegiance. Will they contain the many rebels? And if not, where will this leave Joho and Kingi?
To confirm that the journey to State House will not be a walk in the park come 2022, Kilifi North MP has openly come out to tell the duo that ‘the battle is far from over’ after criticizing last week’s meeting which the two Governors convened. Does it mean Kingi and Joho are no longer as influential as they were in the run to the 2017 election?
What if Kingi and Joho make good their threat to form a regional party going to 2022 contest? It will definitely injure their own national outlook to springboard their political ambitions.
Is leaving ODM the best option for them?
First, it will help them to step out of Raila Odinga’s political shadow. But can they stand on their own and wedge a strong campaign to win presidential election?