Joho support for Nassir's governor bid elicits mixed reactions

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho’s remarks last Friday appearing to endorse Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir to succeed him have evoked mixed reactions in the region.

Joho, who has been silent on who he will support next year, made sentiments indicating that he had finally settled on Nassir to be Mombasa governor next year on an ODM ticket.

Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal, who decamped from Jubilee to ODM and will be making a third attempt on the post, has vowed to stay put until their fate is decided by voters during ODM primaries next year.

Already, ODM leader Raila Odinga has made his stand known on Mombasa politics saying he will let the wananchi decide.

However, Joho who is also the ODM deputy party leader, has made remarks that seem to contradict his party boss.

“I will come back here to support some of my brothers to push them forward, and I am telling my friend Nassir who wants to be governor, this is the journey and we have already set the path, you just need to follow it,” Joho said.  

The ODM party has said it will opt for scientific surveys to assess the popularity of the aspirants before it issues direct tickets to top-ranking hopefuls.

There are also talks within ODM to shelve competitive nominations in its strongholds across the country to embrace consensus to avert sibling rivalry that could hurt its 2022 prospects.

Shahbal’s campaign manager Major (Rtd) Idris Abdirahman said Joho should not take sides at this time, but should let the wananchi decide.

Speaking to the Star, Abdirahman said Mombasa is strategic to the ODM party and Raila has already given directions, therefore Joho should be careful not to bring confusion.

“It is unfortunate that the deputy party leader (Joho) is making such remarks. Instead of him following the party position and party leader, he seems to have broken away from the party. So basically, he is bringing confusion,” he said.

He said Joho made a similar mistake during the December 2022 Msambweni by-election, in which ODM candidate Omar Boga was trounced by Independent candidate Feisal Bader, who was supported by Deputy President William Ruto.

“That is the same mistake he made in Msambweni. If he is not careful, we will have Msambweni II happening in Mombasa,” he said.

Abdirahman, who was Joho’s political advisor from 2013 to last year, challenged Joho to focus on delivering his legacy to Mombasa residents.

He said Joho has received approximately Sh200 billion for the past nine years in office, both from national government, international donors and local revenue collection.

“From the national government and local revenue collection, Joho has received Sh150 billion. He got an additional Sh50 billion from international donors.  It is important that he tells Mombasa how he has spent the Sh200 billion in the last 10 years before he thinks of giving them direction.” 

For Nassir, who has served Mvita for two terms, Joho’s endorsement is  a major boost to his gubernatorial race as he already enjoys the political backing of a number of Mombasa leaders.

Nassir said he would continue Joho’s legacy of uniting the people of Mombasa to continue to live in peace and harmony.

He enjoys the backing of Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Asha Mohammed (County Woman Rep) and Mombasa senator Mohammed Faki together with some MCAs, who have publicly declared to support his bid.

Mboko said as Joho was graduating to focus on national politics, the people of Mombasa need a leader who will continue his legacy and had the interest of Mombasa people at heart.

“We have to remain with our brother who we understand his background as Joho focuses on national politics. Our brother Nassir is a humble person, is accessible, he loves the people and is the best person fit to continue your legacy,” Mboko said.

Twalib rallied the people of Mombasa to support Nassir’s bid to succeed Joho.

-Edited by SKanyara