Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi at a past event. [Photo/ standardmedia.co.ke]
Political analysts in Mombasa have argued that the demand for either Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho or his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi to be elevated to the position of principal in the National Super Alliance (NASA) is a strategy for the 2022 presidential race. Earlier on, Kingi had said he will consult with Joho to determine who among the two will contest for the nation’s top seat in the 2022 general election. Prof Hassan Mwakimako and Philip Kaulu of Technical University of Mombasa have both argued that if the two leaders are named NASA principals, they would become powerful political forces, a move which will boost their 2022 State House bid.The analysts, however, said the plan is likely to backfire. They argued that the duo’s presidential dream will be as good as dead if they are not named NASA principals, unless they opt to form their own political party ahead of the 2022 race. ODM leaders in Mombasa led by Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa want either Kingi or Joho promoted to the status of NASA principal due to the large number of seats they delivered to NASA leader Raila Odinga in the August 8 polls.Kaulu, however, rubbished the argument saying that the number of elected ODM leaders in the two counties does not reflect the influence of the two politicians. “It is like demanding to seat at the table of married men, while what you have is only a bunch of girlfriends who cannot translate to a wife,” said Kaulu, as quoted by the Star.“Delivering many MPs and MCAs does not translate to being a principal or party owner,” he added.