Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho at a past event. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is a popular figure in the opposition NASA coalition, thanks to his combative style of politics which has enabled him overcome Kenya's tough politics.For a man whose political journey started 13 years ago, he has successfully managed to bring down popular politicians in the county, an achievement which in itself confirms that the ODM deputy party leader is the region's political supremo.After losing to Ananiah Mwaboza in his first attempt in elective politics during the Kisauni by-election in 2004, Joho sent him parking in 2007. And since then, Mwaboza has failed to make a political comeback.After dumping Raila Odinga for Uhuru Kenyatta, former Mvita MP Najib Balala has been operating under the shadows of Joho for close to six years now and with no sign of making a political comeback any time soon. Balala is technically politically dead.Former Changamwe MP Ramadhan Kajembe is now forgotten as far as Mombasa politics is concerned. During the 2013 elections, he contested for Mombasa Senator on an ODM ticket. However, it was claimed that Joho was secretly supporting Hassan Omar of Wiper. As a result, Kajembe finished a distant third and has since quit elective politics.Immediate former Likoni MP Masoud Mwahima is the latest casualty of Joho's rising political star.After fallout with Mwahima, Joho planted his right-hand friend Mishi Mboko to bring down the veteran politician.Hassan Omar, a man who was thought to be Joho's biggest headache in Mombasa is fighting for his political life after his dismal performance in the August 8 Mombasa gubernatorial race.Former Nyali MP Hezron Awiti who challenged Joho in the August 8 poll is also fighting for his political life after posting an unimpressive performance.