[Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho in a past event. He may have identified Mvita MP as his replacement. Photo/Nation]
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho could be grooming Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir to take over the mantle when he retires in 2022.
Already, coastal politics are taking shape with Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi vowing to be in the presidential ballot paper.
Although the two started on a wrong foot in 2013, their working relationship improved afterwards with Nassir fighting a host of wars when his boss was under state intimidation.
“This man is super and Mombasa needs him. I thank him together with a host of MPs who made it possible for me,” Joho said during his inauguration.
“We have conducted a lot of collaborations with him and he has made it possible in previous years. Not just him, also all other MPs,” he added in a statement that could ignite political temperatures.
Also expected to be in the race are Kisauni MP Rashid Bedzimba and outspoken Likoni MP Mishi Mboko who acted as Women Representative in the last parliament.
The race could be tight given expected presence of outgoing senator Hassan Omar who vied unsuccessfully.