Coast Jubilee bigwigs now cosy up to Raila

Jubilee bigwigs in the Coast region have started aligning themselves to ODM leader Raila Odinga after his Handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018.

On Tuesday, just a week after his latest meeting with Mr Odinga, Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal came out to officially declare his interest in succeeding Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho in 2022.

“I will be in that race with the support of Mombasa people. However, we are in 2020 and this is not the time for politicking. The county has a sitting governor and we must support him,”  he said.

Speaking at Sparki Primary School, where he launched a website for free past papers for primary and secondary examinations, Mr Shahbal promised his political rivals a “tsunami” in the 2022 polls. He denied reports that his recent camaraderie with Mr Joho and his series of development projects are meant to prepare  the ground for him ahead of the elections.

“Let us not put the county in campaign mode. We are not yet there, but when the time comes, you will see the tsunami. Right now, we are supporting Mr Joho,” he said when asked about his new friendship with Mr Joho.

He added: “In all our meetings with the governor, we have never talked politics, but issues affecting our people, especially the current pandemic.”

Asked about his meetings with Mr Odinga, Mr Shahbal, the chairman of Ken Trade, said: “I’m in Jubilee, but because of the Handshake, we have become friends, so when I go to see the former PM, we discuss issues of national importance and current problems, because it is an opportunity to share ideas,”

Mr Shahbal, who lost to Mr Joho twice in the governorship race, has been holding meetings with Mr Odinga both in Nairobi and Mombasa.

He contested the seat on Wiper and Jubilee tickets in 2013 and 2017, respectively.

Last Thursday, the two met at Mr Odinga’s office in Nairobi where, sources disclosed, they discussed strategies for Mr Shahbal’s political future.

A reliable source told the Nation that Mr Shahbal is expected to join ODM in 2022. He will face off with Mvita MP Abdullswamad Nassir and his Kisauni counterpart Ali Mbogo, who have emerged as strong candidates for the seat.

Mr Nassir, a close ally of Mr Joho, also expects an endorsement from the governor, who analysts say will have a big say on his successor.

Mr Mbogo is banking on the support of his constituency, the county’s most populous.

Meanwhile, Lands Chief Administrative Secretary Gideon Mung’aro, the regional Jubilee Party point man, has also met the ODM party leader.

The move has caused jitters among  ODM loyalists eyeing the Kilifi governor’s seat.

Before defecting from ODM to Jubilee, Mr Mung’aro was the  MP for Kilifi North and a minority whip.

Multiple sources close to the Lands CAS have conformed  that he will make a comeback to Coast politics through ODM and run for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat.

Speaking to the Nation by phone, Mr Munga’ro said he and Mr Shahbal had visited Mr Odinga to consult on development in the Coast region and emerging political issues.

He said the March 2018 Kenyatta-Odinga Handshake had brought the whole country together. “I’m already in government as CAS, but I want to bring everyone on board so that the region benefits economically and politically,'” he said, adding: “If he is working with my boss, who am I not to work with him?”

There were signs

But he downplayed questions about Kilifi 2022 gubernatorial politics, saying that as a leader, he is free to contest any political seat in Kilifi and the country when the right time comes.

“The ODM party leader wanted to know the progress in addressing land matters,” he said.

Signs that Mr Munga’ro would return to ODM ahead of the 2022 General Election were witnessed last year during the Ganda ward by-election, in which he supported ODM aspirant Ruben Mwamure.

Mr Mung’aro even attended a funeral with Mr Odinga and other ODM members  days after Mr Mwamure’s victory.

But his imminent return to the party is expected to face fierce opposition from sitting ODM legislators who are also keen  to succeed Governor Amason Kingi.

They are MPs Owen Baya (Kilifi North), who comes from Mr Mung’aro’s Dabaso village, Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), Michael Kingi (Magarini) and Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), and Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi.