Kingi, Joho supporters differ on who should represent Coast

The political supremacy battle between supporters of Governor Hassan Joho and his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi on who should be the region’s presidential flag bearer in 2022 is threatening to derail the push for Coast political unity.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko and Mombasa Woman Representative Asha Hussein are among those who have been rooting for Mr Joho to be the torchbearer, insisting he is the region’s political kingpin, most senior and the best suited.

Mr Kingi is being backed by MPs from his Kilifi backyard with his henchmen capitalising on the fact that the governor comes from the most populous county at the Coast and his “ability to build bridges with other regions”.

POLITICAL MUSCLE

Both Mr Joho and Mr Kingi are serving their second and last terms as governors and are each keen to consolidate the 1.7 million Coast vote to catapult them to national politics.

Since the 2013 vote, Mr Joho’s supremacy as the Coast’s top politician had remained unchallenged with political pundits indicating he could have easily charted the political direction locals should take in next polls.

The flamboyant governor who rose to fame due to his style of politics, taking the Jubilee administration head-on on various issues and passionately pushing for the region’s issues had been going round the six counties in the region to extend his political muscle.

Mr Joho, who previously served as the MP of the populous Kisauni, had also won the hearts of many ODM supporters for always standing with party leader Raila Odinga.

DRIFTING APART

The governor, who is the ODM deputy party leader, has enjoyed a cordial relationship with Mr Kingi. During Mr Joho’s inauguration for his second term, the two announced they would hold talks and agree on who between them should seek the presidency in 2022 to avoid splitting the region’s votes.

However, the two have been drifting apart since the year began with the Kilifi County boss, who was also elected on an ODM ticket, rooting for the formation of a Coast party to use as his presidential election vehicle.

Veteran politicians, political groups and Kaya elders have welcomed the formation of the party, but they warned that politicians must make it a people-driven process for it to succeed.

STILL UNITED

On Friday, Mr Joho denied there was a rift in the opposition at the Coast, adding that he and Mr Kingi will always remain “brothers”.

Ms Mboko said Mr Joho and Mr Kingi were still united.

“Everyone knows that it is Mr Joho who has the support of all the counties in this region and I know Mr Kingi knows that as well and he is with us in ensuring we put Mr Joho up there,” she said.

But Kilifi North MP Owen Baya has said it is Mr Kingi whom locals will support for the top seat. “Kingi has all the possible chances of becoming our leader. We know because of his experience, he will be the Coast favourite when the right time comes,” said Mr Baya.