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As the 2022 general elections approach, Mombasa governor succession race has begun in earnest. However, Governor Hassan Joho’s supporters have been thrown into confusion after his failure to name his preferred successor.
Hassan Joho
Deputy governor William Kingi, businessman Suleiman Shahbal and Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir are all angling for Joho’s endorsement to boost their chances. Shahbal has been Joho’s political rival in the last two elections coming second in each of the contests. He has since befriended the governor with the intention of inheriting his ODM support base. But Abdulswamad who has remained the governor’s loyal confidant all along, is frowning at Shahbal’s political tactics and has declared total war against him.
William Kingi
The Mvita MP has been among Mombasa leaders bitterly opposed to the Buxton housing project which has seen thousands of residents evicted to pave way for a new housing estate to be constructed by a firm linked to Shahbal. Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo has also hit out at Shahbal over the housing project, saying the businessman should choose between politics and winning Mombasa county tenders. The legislator seems to have given up on getting Joho’s endorsement which he earlier desperately sought and befriended the governor for several months but was toppled by Shahbal.
Suleiman Shahbal
He has since announced he would be vying the governor seat on a Wiper party ticket. He will, however, have to contend with a rejection from Kalonzo Musyoka Kamba supporters in Mombasa who view him as a betrayer who only seeks for the party ticket to win elections but has no time for the party leader. Former Nyali MP Hezron Awiti factor may however complicate the succession race.
Ali Mbogo
The ex-legislator is considered a strong contender. He has a solid base among the Mijikenda and upcountry voters in the port city of Mombasa. Awiti has however not made his intentions clear. It has emerged, a section of his supporters want him to make a comeback in Nyali constituency while others are pressuring him to go for Mombasa governor seat which he vied for in the last general elections on Vibrant Democratic Party ticket.
Hezron Awiti
Political watchers say, whichever seat Awiti eventually decides to contest, he will give his opponents a run for their money. In Nyali constituency, the incumbent Mohammed Ali aka Jicho Pevu would be in trouble as Awiti is well on the ground in the constituency and his campaign prowess is unequaled. On the other hand, the former MP is remembered for how he caused sleepless nights to his opponents when he campaigned for Mombasa governor seat. Deputy governor Kingi is banking on the Mijikenda vote.
Abdulswamad Nassir
However, he is seen as a political lightweight incapable of controlling and winning the hearts and minds of Mijikenda supporters. Some Mijikenda opinion leaders have urged the DG to consider running for a member of parliament seat first, before he graduates to governorship. Former senator Hassan Omar is also eyeing the governor seat on a UDA ticket.
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