GOODBYE: JOHO TO RETIRE FROM POLITICS

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has announced he will not be contesting for  any political seat in 2022  general elections.

The outgoing governor took time to recite a last prayer farewell to the elderly who he said have held his hand during his political journey as an Mp and a governor.

“This is the last meeting with you as your governor, we have traveled this journey together, and it’s my time to say thank you . I will miss you and Mombasa politics dearly but I believe we will still be meeting and seeking your advises as I have always done, God willing” said Joho during a meeting he had convened with the over 5,000 elders from across the county at Shaikh Khalifa Hall,in Bombolulu Mombasa.

Joho said that he had to shelve his presidential ambition for Odinga so that he can pave the way for him in 2027 after Odinga completes his term.

“I have shelved my presidential ambition for now, because I have a father who is Raila Odinga, because we want him to pave the way for us to have a smooth ride in 2027 with Odinga blessings,” said Joho.

Joho, who held his last meeting with Mombasa elders on Sunday, asked them to support Odinga presidential bid, saying the region will benefit on matters of historical land injustices and economically.

He also revealed that he will soon be meeting the youths and Women from the county to also thank them for their support towards him and bid them farewell as he finishes his term as the Governor of Mombasa.

“We know where we are heading, and we don’t blindly follow Odinga,it’s because we support what he agitates for, and therefore we should not abandon him during this time Odinga is on the verge of capturing the presidency,” said Joho.

ODM leader Raila Odinga promised to work with Governor Hassan Joho when he exits Mombasa governor position. He also failed to endorse Mvita Mp Abdulswamand Nassir for the post of Mombasa governor saying the people will decide.

Mvita Mp Abdulswamand Nassir backed the Azimio Movement saying the unity front will benefit the coastal region both economically and politically.

Nassir asked Odinga to back his gubernatorial aspiration, so that the ODM party can produce another gubernatorial voice after the exit of Joho.

“Many think that Odinga is in government due to the handshake, but Odinga has demonstrated that he values the economic turmoil the coastal region had faced, and called on Odinga to return the lost economic glory of the coastal region.

Likoni Mp Mishi Mboko asked coastal leaders to back Odinga does that after finishing his term can hand over

the mantle of presidential party ticket to Mombasa governor Hassan Joho.

“If you continue working with Hassan Joho,the coast will stand firm with you, because Joho has demonstrated himself as a force to reckon in the coastal region,” Mboko told a gathering at the Shaikh Khalifa Hall meeting.

Mboko said the Coast has reaped most for standing on the camp of Odinga and hopes after winning the presidency in 222, the regional will be part of the government

“We have tried several times to support Odinga to win presidency, but all that has not bore fruits, but with the handshake and with presidential backing in place, we are hopeful that he will win presidency in 2022,”Mboko said.

Mboko also backed Mvita Mp Abdulswamand Nassir for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in 2022 saying the Mp has demonstrated loyalty to the party and to Odinga as a person.

Mombasa senator Mohamed Faki said  the coast will continue  to support Odinga presidential ambition  ahead of 2022 presidential contest as he is the only one who has demonstrated strength to be the president.

“We have benefitted from many projects, especially infrastructure and we should not leave Odinga during this time he is on the verge of winning presidency, “said Faki.

Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib proposed that should Odinga form the next government, to fact in paying the nyumba Kumi and village elders countrywide.

“Just the way Odinga has proposed a social protection program for sh 6,000 monthly we also ask him, if he forms the next government to factor paying all village elders in the country,” said Twalib.

Odinga was accompanied by Mombasa women rep Aisha Hussein, Likoni Mp Mishi Mboko, Jomvu Mp Badi Twalib,Mvita Mp Abdulswamand Nassir, Mombasa governor Hassan Joho among several county assembly members.

Story courtesy