As the country's political bigwigs start assembling their machinery ahead of the gruelling 2022 presidential contest, Mombasa Governor is emerging as one of the front runners.
With the recent opinion poll placing him at a respectable third position in a race which Deputy President William Ruto is the favourite, Joho is a man to watch as he can pull another political surprise.
Politically speaking, DP Ruto is slightly ahead of Joho. But both have deeper pockets to bankroll their campaigns.
With ODM leader Raila Odinga fame dipping according to the survey, Joho who is his deputy in the party leader may be his heir apparent and could inherit the former Premier's political huge base to springboard his presidential ambitions. However, Raila has remained silent on his political future.
Further, the recent political developments in NASA could benefit Joho in case of a fallout between Raila and his co-principals.
As for Ruto, first, he has to tame the Gideon Moi political tidal wave in his Rift Valley backyard, failure to which his support in the populous region will be depleted. Further, the current Raila-Uhuru political deal can also complicate Ruto's political game.
For Joho, he has to end the seemingly emerging political rivalry between him and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi. Again, he will have to lock out the Coast region from Ruto's inroads. After that, he will be the man to beat in 2022.