Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho. As it stands, the Omar-Awiti axis poses the biggest threat to Joho’s, and by large, the opposition’s quest for a second term. [Photo/ The Star]
It seems certain that Wiper Democratic Movement will field its own candidate in an attempt to wrestle the Mombasa gubernatorial seat from ODM’s Hassan Joho in the August 8 general election.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka knows all so well that in Senator Hassan Omar and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti, he has a formidable team capable of upsetting Joho, the incumbent’s deep pockets notwithstanding.
Critically though, both parties are sailing the same NASA boat, which is destined for a rough time maneuvering the turbulent coastal waters. This gives Jubilee Party a reason to celebrate.
The opposition party’s endorsement of different aspirants is the catalyst that will see Jubilee’s Suleiman Shahbal elected governor at the second time of asking. Shahbal gave Joho a run for his money is 2013 while Ananiah Mwaboza, his proposed running mate, is best remembered for flooring Joho in the 2005 Kisauni by-election.
They say all politics is local and the decision to have a Shahbal-Mwaboza ticket was informed by the reality that the latter enjoys immense support of the majority Mijikenda community.
Now, a scenario where Omar will run as governor with Awiti as his running mate will deal a big blow to the CORD vote bloc as a substantial chunk of Kamba and Luo votes that were cast for Joho in 2013 will be sliced away from him.
As it stands, the Omar-Awiti axis poses the biggest threat to Joho’s, and by large, the opposition’s quest for a second term. The two are men of their own and won their respective seats without Joho’s support. It is highly unlikely that they will settle for anything less than the governor’s office.
But inevitably, having two NASA candidates will see the Jubilee candidate garner more votes than either of the two.
That Jubilee has been making inroads in the coast is not in doubt. Already, Jomvu Ward representative Karisa Nzai has decamped from ODM into Jubilee and will be going for the Jomvu parliamentary seat on Jubilee ticket. Mombasa deputy governor Hazel Katana has also decamped to Jubilee.
Already there is disquiet among the people of Mombasa, who are tired of how the county has been grossly mismanaged.
They are crying out for a leader who is going to desist selfish gain and improve their standards of living. Political analyst Muhahi Ngunyi’s recently description of Joho as a man whose gift is nothing but running his mouth only served to compound their fears. Shahbal, a progressive leader and accomplished businessman, offers a perfect alternative in taking Mombasa forward.