Political scientist and historian Nyachieo Bogonko has said none of the unfolding political events in the country following the steady rise of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
The ODM Deputy party leader has been on the front line pushing for Raila’s 2017 presidency, a move that has caused jitters within the opposition coalition, Cord.
In an exclusive phone interview with the reporter on Wednesday, Bogonko insisted that Mr Joho will be the main competitor of Deputy President William Ruto who has also expressed interest in 2022 presidency.
“There is no doubt that he (Joho) calculated well. There has been a gap in ODM with no one keen to succeed my friend Raila Odinga. However, Joho has noticed the loophole and has changed the dynamics making it a Joho-Ruto race in 2022,” he said.
“If he sustains Raila’s campaigns till next year, I have no doubt that he is a worthy competitor even on top of the other Cord co-Principals. He has changed the political landscape completely,” added the renowned don.
Asked whether Joho would beat Ruto in 2022, Bogonko said inheriting Raila’s strongholds would give Ruto a nightmare given the DP was unsure on Mt Kenya support.
“If he inherits Raila’s strongholds, then he would beat Ruto given that the DP is unsure of Mt Kenya’s support. I haven’t seen people from central supporting an outsider,’ he said.