Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir at a past event. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
With Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho being constitutionally ineligible to vie for a third term in 2022, it will be a titanic battle to succeed him with many political heavyweights likely to go for the seat.However, one man who stands out as his likely successor is Mvita MP Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir.Born over 40 years ago, the ODM MP who is serving his second term as Mvita lawmaker has honed his political skills, thanks to his close associations with Joho, who is seen as the region's political kingmaker.The MP, who runs the Sharif Nassir Foundation has made improving education standards in the county his key priority, something that has made a popular figure in the county.Besides that, Abdulswamad is the Chief Executive Officer of Radio Rahma which is located in Mombasa.When Joho was at risk of being barred from contesting in the August 8 poll amid controversy that had surrounded the authenticity of his academic credentials, it was rumoured that ODM would settle on Abdulswamad as the party's candidate.However, Joho was later given the green light to vie.In the run to the August 8 poll, when Jubilee was keen to water down Raila Odinga's influence in the Coast region, and at the height of mass exodus from ODM to President Uhuru Kenyatta's camp, Abdulswamad is said to have been among those who were targeted by the ruling party to excite Jubilee's tidal wave in the county.However, the move hit a brick wall as the lawmaker remained loyal to Raila.If he plays his cards well, Abdulswamad will easily be elected Mombasa governor in 2022.However, he will have to prepare for a bruising battle for the ODM ticket before facing candidates from other parties especially Jubilee, where Hassan Omar is going to be the likely candidate.