This archive report was first published on 23 November 2019.
Joho's Coast Region Power Play: Targeting Ruto Allies ¶
Published on November 23, 2019
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is reportedly plotting the downfall of several MPs in the Coast region who are allied with Deputy President William Ruto ahead of the 2022 general elections.
According to sources, Joho has identified several MPs who are seen as a threat to his power and is working to undermine their chances of re-election.
One of the MPs on Joho's chopping board is Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, who has been a vocal critic of the governor's leadership. Ali has accused Joho of being a failure to Mombasa voters and has claimed that the governor is only good at dancing and portraying himself as a celebrity at the expense of development.
Reports suggest that Joho is working to ensure that Ali is defeated in the next general elections, and has even proposed that the Mkomani MCA Kizito Opeya be groomed to take on Ali in 2022.
Another MP who is reportedly on Joho's list is Jomvu's Badi Twalib, who has been a thorn in the flesh of the governor. Joho wants Twalib replaced by former MCA Karisa Nzai, who was runner's up for the seat in the last general elections on a Jubilee party ticket.
In Kisauni constituency, area MP Ali Mbogo is being encouraged by the Joho camp to go for the governorship to create room for the governor's close ally Rashid Bedzimba.
However, sources say that Mbogo would be thrown under the bus ahead of the 2022 general elections, and is viewed suspiciously as an 'outsider' who cannot be entrusted with giving protection to Joho once out of power.
Other MPs who are reportedly on Joho's chopping board include Kaloleni's Paul Katana, who is seen as a loyalist of Deputy President Ruto, and Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa, who is also a Ruto campaigner in Coast politics.
Joho has two candidates to tame Jumwa, ex-MP Willy Mtengo and banker Philip Charo, but sources say that Charo seems to be more preferred by the ODM top leadership to go against Jumwa.
Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that the Mombasa governor is plotting for a new political party for the Coast region, which will be actualised in case the BBI recommendations are short down by Kenyans in a referendum.
