Coast kingpin? Joho mobilises governors, MPs to solidify bloc

Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho. [Nehemiah Okwembah, Standard]

Within two weeks, Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has convened two high-profile ‘consultative meetings’ of Coast politicians in what appears to be a strategy to secure endorsement as the region’s political kingpin.

Notably absent from both meetings was Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, who appears to have been edged out by Joho as President William Ruto’s point man at the Coast.

Joho called the first meeting earlier this month at the Sun N’ Sand Hotel in Kilifi County. Dubbed Coast Salute, the forum was officially billed as a celebration of Raila Odinga’s 81st birthday.

However, the forum was used to endorse Joho as the Coast’s political leader ahead of planned coalition talks between ODM and UDA in the run-up to the 2027 General Election.

Interestingly, the Kilifi meeting drew over 30 elected leaders, including four of the six Coast governors, four senators, and politicians from the Wiper Patriotic Front and Pamoja African Alliance (PAA), among them deputy party leader Hassan Albeity.

On Friday last week, Joho convened a second ‘consultative meeting’ at the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) headquarters, attended by 30 MPs and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

Reports indicate that Joho facilitated the meeting between Murkomen and the Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG), led by Wundanyi MP Dan Mwashako, to consult with the government on issues of security, civil registration and regional politics. 

“Today, I led Coast region leaders, including senators, Members of the National Assembly and the Governor of Mombasa, in a high-level consultative meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, in Mombasa. The meeting provided a valuable platform for open and constructive dialogue on critical issues directly affecting our people,” Joho said on Friday.

Joho said the discussions focused on strengthening security, improving civil registration services, tackling drug and substance abuse, combating gender-based violence, and enhancing support and welfare for security officers.

Build alliances 

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir noted that while many regional issues were discussed with Murkomen, some details could not be disclosed. “There are other issues we discussed, but we cannot share them here,” he said.

At the first Kilifi meeting, attended by governors Andrew Mwadime, Gideon Mungáro, Dr Dhadho Godhana and Nassir, Joho told the over 2,000 delegates that the Coast should back President Ruto for a second term while he prepares for a 2032 presidential run.

The forum was dominated by calls for Joho to aim for the deputy presidency in 2027. In what appeared choreographed, speaker after speaker argued that if Joho became Ruto’s running mate, it would strengthen his national appeal ahead of a 2032 presidential bid.

Joho told delegates that President Ruto would serve two terms while he builds alliances across regions, including the voter-rich Rift Valley, in preparation for 2032. He assured the audience that he is a seasoned politician with a clear ambition for the top seat in the country.

“Ruto will serve two terms while I forge partnerships, even in the Rift Valley, in preparation for my 2032 presidential bid. Politics is about partnerships; it’s all arithmetic,” Joho said.

Albeity noted that Raila left a huge leadership vacuum, prompting Joho to make strategic political moves amid uncertainty over ODM’s new leadership. “Raila used to make absolute decisions and Joho had been loyal to him. ODM’s strength at the Coast comes from Joho, but he cannot be sure about the new team,” Albeity said.

He added that Joho cannot be underestimated in the region, citing his support from over 30 MPs, including members of other parties, which underscores his strong command of Coast politics.

Pwani University’s Hassan Mwakimako observed that Coast MPs, governors and senators are gravitating towards Joho for political direction, reflecting their lack of confidence in the new ODM leadership following Raila’s death.

“Coast elected leaders are thinking about their own future. ODM has been strong here, but with the new leadership, they don’t trust the party and are looking to Joho for guidance,” Prof Mwakimako said.

Grassroots support

However, analysts cautioned that the support Joho is receiving from elected leaders may not necessarily reflect the backing of the region’s residents.

One observer said Joho is positioning himself as the Coast kingpin to influence ODM decisions and any negotiations with other political formations, preparing to form or join another party if necessary.

“Joho is creating a narrative to secure a seat at the political negotiation table. He is being declared Coast kingpin by elected leaders, even though there is no mandate from the people on the ground,” the analyst said. 

Political analyst Maimuna Mwidau noted that Joho has long-standing ties with Coast leaders he has supported in the past and is now rallying them behind him amid a perceived political vacuum. She added that it is his democratic right to flex his political muscle at this stage.

“If it’s about negotiations, Joho has the necessary backing. Politics is about interests and what you gain in a power shift,” Mwidau said.

Former Gender CS and Kenya Roads Board chairperson Aisha Jumwa, a PAA member, urged Joho to aim for the deputy presidency in 2027 as a stepping stone to his 2032 presidential bid.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko said Joho is well-positioned to advance politically under the Ruto administration and should therefore pursue the deputy presidency.