Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho at a past event. [Photo/ nairobinews.nation.co.ke]
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho kicked off his political journey to a bumpy start during the 2004 Kisauni by-election. The seat had been left vacant following the death of Tourism Minister Karisa Maitha.The political novice, then 28 years old, lost to Ananiah Mwaboza who had a backing of powerful politicians. He, however, never gave up but waited for his time which came in 2007. Vying on an ODM ticket, he romped to a resounding win, sending home the incumbent.March 2012 became another milestone in his supported political life. During a Cabinet mini-reshuffle, he was appointed Transport Assistant Minister. The appointment proved to be the turning point in his political life as it was a major boost ahead of the 2013 poll. The then Mvita MP Najib Balala had fallen out with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Joho became Raila's new political rock, and he never disappointed.In March 2013, he was elected the first Governor of Mombasa and won with a landslide win.In 2014, after ODM's bungled election, the party leadership decided to strike a compromise. With regional balance being one of the key factors in awarding new leadership positions, Joho was handed the deputy party leader position.That alone underscored his growing importance within Raila's party.In January 2016, Joho had a public altercation with President Uhuru Kenyatta during the commissioning of street lighting programme at Old Town, Mombasa. The event further elevated his political fortunes.In August 2017, Joho was re-elected Mombasa Governor and just like in 2013, he won by a landslide. During his inauguration ceremony, he declared that he would vie for President come 2022.On January 30, 2018, the outspoken Governor attended the swearing-in of NASA leader Raila Odinga as the people's president. With other coalition principals skipping the event, Joho scored big politically with analysts opining that he will be a real political force come 2022.