Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho Hints at Vying for MP's Seat in 2022

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho has hinted that he might vie for an MP’s seat in the 2022 general elections.

Joho’s current term as Mombasa Governor expires in 2022, thus will not be eligible to defend the seat as he will have exhausted the statutory two five-year terms.

In a recent interview with Citizen TV, Joho admitted he might be forced to shelve his presidential ambitions and run for a lower seat in the next elections.

Being elected to the National Assembly in 2022 would give him a chance to be appointed to the Cabinet as the Prime Minister should the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) proposals be passed.

The BBI is recommending an expanded executive comprising the President, Deputy President, Prime Minister, two deputy Prime Ministers, and Ministers.

Joho said he would contest in either of the six Mombasa county constituencies including Nyali, Mvita, Jomvu, Likoni, Changamwe, and Kisauni.

“I have declared my candidature for the presidency. In politics, people talk and some have to sacrifice their ambitions. And at that point what needs to be done must be done,” said Joho, who previously served as the MP for Kisauni.

He added: “I’ve laid ground as the governor of Mombasa and I think I can vie in any constituency and win. Tell some of your friends that they will see dust.”

Joho further indicated that Coast leaders are seeking to forge a united front ahead of 2022 elections to give the region a higher bargaining power on the negotiating table.

“In Coast, our plan is 90 percent complete. We may have different political views and ideologies but we have a goal as a people,” he said.