Hassan Joho has asked his detractors not to judge him based on his humble beginnings as those claiming his character is questionable are worse.
The Mombasa Governor has been in the limelight for allegedly forging his academic papers and is among 20 politicians an NGO wants blacklisted from the election for having integrity issues.
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"You can't question the integrity of someone who has owned up to coming from humble beginnings," Joho said at Forodhani in Old Port on Thursday when he officially unveiled his running mate business don
William Kingi.
The Governor reiterated that he worked very hard to get where he is and toughened him up so much that he can face any adversaries.
He accused President Uhuru Kenyatta's administration of wanting his barred from the election because they know he cannot be defeated.
Joho also said once again that his leadership is GOd-given so nobody can take it away from him.
"In 2013, the opposition was overwhelming but it had already been written by God," he said, adding the case will be the same on August 8.
"I did not enjoy my childhood just to try and earn a living."
Joho narrated how he used to walk from school to Old Town to carry goods for people for money to pay fees, buy food and support his family.
He said his poor performance at O level was only because of the hardships he underwent.
"If you do not do well at your O level...it is not the end of the road," he said.
Joho said he does not respond to matters raised by his rivals but he warned that they will not beat him easily.
"It won't be easy, my friends," he said.
The Governor said he chose Kingi as his running mate as he can stand strong and put his life on the line to defend the people.
The Governor said he also consulted stakeholders and the people before making his choice.
He noted the candidate has sufficient administrative experience and has contributed significantly to matters affecting Coast residents.
Joho said he is ready to face his competitors in the race and that he will shift his focus to the presidency in 2022.
"I will leave my running mate to serve Mombasa people and seek the presidency [then]," he said at the official unveiling on Thursday.
The Governor will face Suleiman Shahbal under Jubilee Party, Senator Hassan Omar (Wiper) and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti (Vibrant Democratic Party).
He defied expectations that he would go for county secretary Francis Thoya or education CEC Lewa Tendai, who are both from the Mijikenda community.
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Kingi, 47, is also the chairman of the Secretariat of Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani, a Coast region economic block, a position he has held since the year 2014.
He holds a PhD in Human Resource Management and a Master of Science the field
from JKUAT.
Kingi served as Chairman for the Business Studies Department from December 2013 to March 2015.
The soft spoken academician is also a Taekwondo blue belt holder.