Keen to challenge Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 presidential race, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is readying himself for the battle. But first, he will have to lay his political machinery first lest he will go to the battlefield limping. How is he doing it? Winning out NASA leader Raila Odinga's support.
Speaking in Kisumu on Wednesday, Joho maintained that he will be on the ballot come 2022 on an ODM ticket. But to win that ticket, he is seemingly trying to reach out to Raila's members of the inner circle. And one of them is Governor Anyang' Nyong'o.
According to the ODM deputy party leader, he will visit Kisumu in the next few days at the invitation of Prof. Nyong'o to discuss how to implement Raila-Uhuru handshake. Will 2022 politics be part of the agenda in their meeting? Most likely.
Just days ago, Joho's deputy William Kingi held another meeting with Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili. However, the details of their meeting remain scanty.
With Joho pledging to support referendum push to amend the constitution, is it part of his 2022 game plan with a view to earning Raila's support? Well, time will tell. But being a master of suspense and shrewd politician, Joho is firmly laying his presidential bid strategies.