One thing I have noticed about politicians is that they do not give up easily. Even when they have suffered a humiliating defeat, they will sooner or later return to the arena of competitive politics.
In almost all the counties in Kenya, the candidates of the party that didn't win the gubernatorial seat are now back on their feet.
In Mombasa, things are no different.
The political power wielders of UDA and ODM established a truce after the high-octane campaigns and election, which, however, was not only unwelcomed by some but a newly elected governor seemed to disassociate himself from his predecessor in the belief that it would lighten his political baggage.
But by now they are already preparing for 2027. The complicating factor here is the recent Gen Z demonstrations.
As in most counties, the Millennials and Gen Z comprise an estimated 67 per cent of the registered voters.
Then Gen Z protests, at their peak, threatened upheaval and upsetting of the political class with their fluid identity, invisible leadership but unquestionable might.
Such was their impact that a government of national unity was proposed, with members of the opposition being nominated to the Cabinet and forwarded to Parliament for vetting.
But unity at the national level does not translate into oneness at the county level.
So on one side, there is the UDA Mombasa de facto leadership in waiting comprising a team allied to Hassan Omar, the leader of Kenya's member of parliament contingent to the East Africa Legislative Assembly.
Omar is also the vice chairman of his party and is believed to be a close confidant of the President and a trusted emissary between the President and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
On the other side is the ODM leadership, which is firmly in the hands of Hassan Joho, the immediate former governor of Mombasa, the deputy party leader of his party and hand in glove with Raila, whose eyes are set beyond local politics on continental matters as African Union Commission chairman.
Joho has been nominated as Cabinet secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
How can this begin to answer Mombasa Gen Z's demands for greater opportunities and better governance, which is universal throughout the country?
One thing we can be certain of is that the Mombasa county government shall have unceasing scrutiny from the UDA team on delivery of services. This is because competitive politics between the two dominant parties remains a fact of political life in Mombasa. Also, the governor may not be able to rely on political support from his predecessor due to his earlier attitude.
The challenge for Joho is to unlock the potential revenue of an estimated Sh500 billion annually in the Blue Economy docket, which is one of the new frontiers of job creation for the 1.2 million unemployed youths in the counties with water bodies.
Omar is a regional member of parliament. The recent signing of the tripartite agreement between the East African Community, Comesa and SADC, which creates a free-trade area between the entities with a population of about 600 million, puts him in a position to market both Mombasa and Kisumu as regional ports of choice, especially as maritime affairs also falls in Joho's docket (assuming he is approved by Parliament).
Whereas there's the economic potential, is there the necessary political will and governance safeguards to realise the potential? Will we now see a new chapter in the long march towards more transparent governance in Kenya?
The Gen Z protests have revealed a robust potential for data mining and innovative investigative and online broadcast capabilities.
This makes it unavoidable that county governments from now on must be more accountable, or else risk facing the prospect of a county-level uprising by Gen Z activists.
With both Omar and Joho invested in the success of their respective party leaders’ decision, it would be foolhardy for such confidants to jeopardise the trust bestowed upon them.
The Mombasa Gen Z protests therefore have a chance of great success, especially as the means that brought about this potential change is ever present and always watchful and ready to engage.
