Do you think that Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has what it takes to be the country’s head of state? Well, the Mombasa county chief apparently thinks he does.
His new found relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta seem to have even boosted his morale in the quest for the Country’s Presidency.
According to Joho , his close relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta has increased his chances of winning the presidency.
Joho and Kenyatta started raising eyebrows when the two attended the Paris Peace Forum together. Joho later hosted President Kenyatta in Mombasa for a series of tours.
President Kenyatta had toured the port city for the official launch of Kenya Coast Guard Service in Liwatoni and then attended the official launch of the Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JKP) blue economy and agri-business in Shanzu.
In all these engagement, Mr Joho, the deputy party leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) appeared to be enjoying the closeness with the President.
“I am very influential. I am sitting next to the President, is it that not being influential?” he said as he explained how he assisted Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi who had lost his passports in Italy after his briefcase was stolen at the Rome International airport.
The Mombasa governor said his bitter exchange with Mr Kenyatta is now in the past.
The influence that the governor now wields is likely to boost his chances of going for the top seat in 2022, a journey he termed unstoppable.
When he organised an opinion leaders meeting that was attended by more than 1,000 leaders drawn from all the six counties in Coast region last month, the Mombasa governor insisted that his ambition to lead the country in 2022 is unstoppable.
“This time around, even if it is failing then it will be in the ballot. I must be in the presidential ballot in 2022,” Governor Joho said during the meeting.
Mr Joho said he already has a plan that will see him traverse the country in search for the votes and that he will be banking greatly on the 1.7 million votes from Coast.
However, some analysts Mr Joho will not have it easy as he may think.
Pwani University don Prof Halim Shauri said that the friendship between Joho and President Kenyatta is pegged on Mr Joho’s efforts to get the assistance of the Head of State.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta is now in power and holds a stick that is important to every leader. That is why you have not only seen Joho close to the President but also Kalonzo Musyoka who has also come closer to the President,” said Prof Shauri.
Prof Shauri said being close to the President is not a guarantee that he will support his cause.
Joho’s Friendship with Uhuru has already seen the government lift the ban on Joho’s Freight business with the governor now back in business.
The company placed a banner on the SGR container reading, “Autoports Freight Terminal Limited – your navigator in the logistics world – supporting the SGR.”
Do you think President Kenyatta can endorse Governor Joho for the Presidency?