What if Hassan Joho and Fred Matiang’i formed a coalition for the 2022 Presidential Race? Would you vote for them? The questions on everyone’s lips is if this coalition can beat William Ruto, the man who seems to be strolling to State House unopposed.
Early this year when Matiang’i was appointed the chair of the committee for implementation of all government programmes, a position that made him chief minister, some people interpreted it as a way of President Uhuru Kenyatta trying to cut the powers of his Deputy.
The relationship between Joho and Ruto is known to be very frosty. The Mombasa governor was the chief guest during a fundraiser in Lamu, the venue in which Francis Atwoli sensationally claimed that the DP will not be on the ballot in 2022.
They say the enemy of your enemy is your friend. And if what we have stated above is anything to go by, then Joho and Matiang’i have a reason to be Political friends.
On Wednesday, the Sultan of Mombasa hosted his friend for the Eid Baraza, an event in which thousands of Muslims attended. It is at this venue that the idea of Matiang’i deputizing Joho in 2022 was born.
During the event in Mombasa, Joho and Matiang’i looked cosy together, enjoying some Kahawa Tungu and were in constant murmurs in the face of cameras. It seems they were trying to pass a message.
The governor used the function to fire a warning at Ruto, accusing him of early campaigns and opposing the unity pact between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his brother Raila Odinga.
‘Rais amesema tuache siasa kwa sasa. Ngoja kama we ni wa kuanguka utaanguka tu. Haraka yako ni nini? Ata ukaenda mbio namna gani, tunakutime. Wakati wako ukifika tutakutega kwa chini.’ The governor warned Ruto.
Hassan Joho slams TangaTanga over 2022 early campaigns. pic.twitter.com/6lHkKLb6n7
— Daily Nation (@dailynation) June 5, 2019
Joho said that the Baraza was used to address the ‘pertinent issues affecting our people’ which can also be interpreted as giving direction about the referendum calls, which he supports.
Today’s Eid Baraza afforded us an opportunity to address pertinent issues affecting our people. The show of unity exhibited today by the political leaders is a true testimony that indeed our Country has a bright future. pic.twitter.com/d7of6dcd5q
— Governor Hassan Joho (@HassanAliJoho) June 5, 2019
Joho is the Deputy Party Leader of ODM, and if he was to declare his interest in the Presidency, then he will surely get Raila Odinga’s blessings. This will mean inheriting the vote-rich the populous Nyanza voting block, also the home backyard of Fred Matiang’i.
Matiang’i is considered as the most hardworking CS in the Uhuru era and may be backed by a section of Kenyans. Recently, when the CS was dragged to the fake gold scandal, he was defended by a section of opposition MPs.
A Joho-Matiang’i Presidential ticket is just an idea at the moment, and very far from becoming a reality. But if they were to vie for Presidency, would you vote for them?