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Lawmaker hints at plans for coast presidential candidate

Monday, February 1st, 2021 00:00 | By
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi. Photo/PD/Bonny Msangi

Reuben Mwambingu reubenmwambingu

As the political realignments gather momentum at Coast region, political bigwigs are already formulating strategies to try and field a presidential candidate for next year’s polls.

Intense lobbying has been ongoing for the past two weeks, with sources hinting at the possibility of fronting a single candidate from the three outgoing governors – Hassan Joho of Mombasa, Amason Kingi (Kilifi) and Salim Mvurya of Kwale- to go for the top seat.

 In an interview with Msenangu FM yesterday, Magarini MP Michael Kingi, hinted at the idea of backing a formidable candidate from the region.

“There is no problem if Coast decides to back one of their own, be it Mvurya, Kingi or Joho…” the MP said during a political talk show, Chamio Cha Msenangu.

 This comes amidst reports of a planned high profile meeting early this week at an undisclosed venue in Mombasa, where sources say top leadership from across the political divide will meet to discuss the region’s political future with 2022 expected to take centre-stage.

 “The meeting will be a closed-door session, but the venue will be communicated to at a later date.

Joho and Kingi are expected to attend the meeting,” a source divulged.

 His remarks come at a time when talks for 2022 presidential bid have escalated heated discussions amidst emerging controversies over ODM’s future and formation of a new Coast party.

Last Thursday, Joho, the ODM Deputy Party Leader said his quest for the presidency in 2022 is unstoppable, saying time had come for its leader Raila Odinga to  back him.

 Joho said he had repeatedly supported Raila in his quest for presidency for many years.

Joho noted the perception that Mombasa people and the minority communities cannot lead the country is misguided and ill-informed.

  While Governor Kingi had earlier promised to lead the Coast region out of ODM by June, Joho has consistently insisted that ODM has the region’s interests at heart.”

Kingi and Joho, who are both serving their second and last terms are on record declaring they would vie for the presidency in 2022.

As the heat rages on, questions abound on what will be Joho’s next move should he miss the ODM ticket in the nominations.

Political analysts Nafula Kisiangani, a argues that even though Joho has been loyal to ODM, his chances against Raila in party nominations are slim.

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