Joho left the Eid Baraza once it ended and rushed with his guests to his Nyali residence, where he met 19 MPs, senators and ODM-allied MCAs for lunch from 2pm to about 5pm.
They discussed party unity amid discomfort from some members over Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s dalliance with the Kenya Kwanza government.
A number of ODM leaders have expressed their concern over Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s use of Nassir’s office to attack Azimio leader Raila Odinga on April 17.
Those who attended the lunch include MPs Badi Twalib (Jomvu), Mohamed Machele (Mvita), Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe), Zamzam Mohamed (Mombvasa county), Senator Mohamed Faki and nominated MCSA and ODM Mombasa chairman Mohamed Hamis alias Dhee.
From Kilifi county were MPs Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Amina Mnyazi (Malindi), Getrude Mbeyu (Kilifi county), county assembly speaker Teddy Mwambire, Senator Stewart Mwadzayo.
From Taita Taveta, MPs Khamis Chome (Voi) and Peter Shake (Mwatate) were present, together with Galole MP Said Hiribae, nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla and Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito.
Observers say this is Joho’s way of trying to ring-fence the region and rebuff Kenya Kwanza's recent overtures in the region.
Those present told the Star the meeting was to reconnect after a long time out.
“There was no agenda. He just invited us for lunch to touch base after a long time out,”Abdalla said.
Mwinyi said the main issue was to celebrate Eid with the former county chief who had been away for long but intimated issues of unity were discussed.
“It was just [asking] people to unite and work together. There wasn’t anything serious,” the Changamwe MP said.
The Coast has been relatively quiet politically ever since the last general election, which coincided with Joho’s absence from the political scene.
On Friday, the former governor said that his absence had been due to health reasons, having stayed away from the public eye for the better part of the last six months.
He had been in the Netherlands, Dubai and the US, seeking medical attention and conducting some private engagements.
His absence from the political scene led to speculation that he could be ditching his political mentor, Raila Odinga, and warming up to the Kenya Kwanza government.
However, on Friday, after Eid prayers at Fahari Primary School, he declared his allegiance to Raila and ODM.
On Sunday, during the annual Mombasa Eid Baraza, Joho, whose entrance brought the ongoing function to a brief halt, with residents cheering him as he made his way to the dais, said he fully supports.
“My time will come. I will speak and it will be understood,” he said.
This was after a section of the leaders, including Mombasa county assembly speaker Aharub Khatri, Mboko, Mnyazi, Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohamed, among others, called for the Coast region to hold demonstrations should the Azimio leadership call for them.
The leaders said Joho should work with Nassir to lead demonstrations in Mombasa and other parts of the Coast region.
They said Mombasa is an Azimio stronghold and must be involved in all Azimio’s programmes.
The governor, however, rebuffed the mounting pressure for him to lead demonstrations in Mombasa.
On Sunday, during the Eid Baraza, he said his political allegiance still lies with ODM but will not sacrifice the development of Mombasa at the altar of antagonistic politics.
“I give you freedom. Everyone of you should have the right to follow whoever you want politically,” Nassir said at the Eid Baraza.
He, however, cautioned that the side they choose should not lead to the detriment of Mombasa.
“But political differences should not make us fall. Because after four years, what face will I have when I come to you?” the governor said, adding that it is too early to start unnecessary political squabbles at the expense of unity and development.
“All those who can arrange political meetings, our legs still have mud from the campaign period,” Nassir said.
“But any dais with the county emblem represents all Mombasa residents. All will be given equal respect in the eyes of Governor Nassir.
"I will not celebrate division of Mombasa people because politics. All of you are mine.”
During Joho’s absence, the Kenya Kwanza brigade, led by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has been trying to wrestle the region from the strong grip of Azimio.
The DP has made not less than seven trips to the Coast so far this year in a bid to turn the tide in Kenya Kwanza’s favour.
He has been launching projects in the region and at the same time attacking the Azimio leadership.
The Kenya Kwanza strategy has been to publicly praise Azimio governors for not heeding the Azimio calls, especially for demonstrations.
The Coast region has witnessed little to no demonstrations apart from some traditional Raila strongholds like Jomvu and Changamwe constituencies.
Joho has already indicated he is ready to lead demonstrations in Mombasa.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
