Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is losing 'generals' who would have bolstered his presidential bid in 2022.
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa Malindi is out if her Sunday sentiments in Taita Taveta are anything to go by.
The MP said: "We cannot stop an idea whose time has come. 2022 it is [Deputy President] William Ruto God willing."
Those who stood with Joho on his campaign trails and announced he has to vie in the
next election are now cagey on their support.
It is no longer, "2022 ni Ali Hassan Joho" as they famously put it.
In August last year,
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi said he will run for president in 2022, subject to
an agreement with his Mombasa counterpart.
Kingi declared this at his swearing-in ceremony, saying he would discuss the matter with Joho, who has also shown interest.
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Kaloleni MP Paul Katana was among the ardent believers in Joho's possible bid.
But on Tuesday the legislator
said: "We will deal with 2022 issue when the time comes. I have a mandate to fulfill. I made pledges to Kaloleni residents."
He was among the Coast ODM MPs who accompanied Ruto in Taita Taveta.
What triggered the allegiance shift is unclear but on
March 9, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko revealed what could have informed Jumwa's change of heart.
She emotionally recounted how she and Jumwa overcame widespread prejudice that they couldn't be elected.
Mboko said
Joho and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi expressed fears they’d lose and persuaded them to drop their bids.
“We were warned about cultural beliefs among Digos and Giriamas -
that women cannot be elected. We were asked to let ODM to pick men,” she said.
“We told them point blank that we didn’t want to be awarded posts. We wanted to go out and fight for them. Some laughed at us.”
They eventually won, despite lack of confidence from the two Governors.
Some of the Coast ODM MPs who were on Ruto's entourage were unavailable for comment on whether their support for Joho remains unwavering.
Mombasa woman representative Aisha Hussein said she followed Ruto "because of development".
Hussein said she could not say much about Jumwa's decision.
Others who were present included Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir and Ganze's Teddy Mwambire.
Political analyst professor Rocha Chimera said Joho may not contest after all.
"The race will be tough," he said, adding
Jumwa's words had no impact as they were meant to please Ruto.
"Jumwa revealed her cards too early. We don't know what lies in the (President Uhuru Kenyatta-Nasa chief Raila Odinga) handshake. Things are bound to change just as the alignments," he said.
Chimera said if Raila takes another stab at State House with the President's backing, "Jumwa will definitely jump back".
On Tuesday, Joho opted to reserve his comments and watch events unfold.
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