The former allies of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho seem to have turned against him in the fight for Coast votes ahead of the 2022 General Election.
A group of MPs on Saturday told Mr. Joho to work with them if he is to remain relevant in politics, and even suggested that he should join forces with Deputy President William Ruto.
The DP has visited Coast to cash in on the March 9 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Premier Raila Odinga. The region voted overwhelmingly for the opposition last year and in previous elections hence motivating Mr. Joho to express interest in the presidency in 2022.
Mr. Joho, who is in his second term and last term as governor, and who is ODM’s deputy Party Leader, has been working towards taking over the support his party leader Odinga enjoys in the area.
The governor attended President Kenyatta’s launch of Dongo Kundu bypass phase one and greeted and hugged the top two Jubilee leaders. He has skipped eight return meetings of Mr. Ruto to the coast.
Mr. Dori said coast leaders were willing to work with Mr. Ruto, adding that politicians from the coast who are eyeing the presidency should state so clearly.
Mr. Baya said Governor Joho would not achieve his quest for the presidency unless he formed a formidable alliance with Mr. Ruto. He added that Mr. Joho should not go it alone.
He, too, asked Coast leaders to emulate Mr. Ngala.