Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho [Photo/businesstoday.co.ke]
The year 2022 will be a nightmare for a number of county bosses. These powerful governors can only suit the presidency after heading various counties. It will be demeaning for them to seek senatorial slots or contest for parliamentary seats.
Machakos Governor and Maendeleo Chap Chap boss Alfred Mutua is the first governor who risks being send into political oblivion. He has done a lot for Machakos residents but the presence of Kalonzo Musyoka as a regional point man will kill his 2022 presidential dream. There is also Johnson Muthama who is using the NRM wave to gain some political mileage.
Wycliffe Oparanya is one of the deputies to the political guru, Raila Odinga. In case Raila retires before 2022, Oparanya does not the nerves to withstand the tribal politics that are ailing Kenya. He has a development record that saw him floor the Bull Fighter, Boni Khalwale, but his soft approach to issues will work against him. The best he can be is deputizing a presidential candidate but Musalia Mudavadi will be there to continue with his leadership gambles hence 2022 is a tricky year to Oparanya.
The Rift Valley has another tough man from Uasin Gishu. Governor Jackson Mandago is serving his second and last term but what next for him in 2022? If he goes for presidency then his wars with DP William Ruto will continue and definitely, he has slim chances of surpassing 1 million votes. He has to think of what he will do in 2022 as he waits for DP Ruto to finish his much-talked-about ten years as Kenya’s President.
Last but the most powerful is Hassan Joho, the Sultan, who has a tough task in 2022. Being a deputy to the former Prime Minister, Joho should look for a way out come 2022. He should also think about how the numbers that back him individually after dissociating himself from Raila Odinga will have a hand in the 2022 politics.