Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho left crowds in stitches after stating that he would not engage in a fair fight with Deputy President William Ruto if he was facing him on the ballot in the 2022 presidential elections.
Joho who was speaking on Saturday, October 23, in Mombasa County, explained that he lacks the tolerance that ODM party leader, Raila Odinga, has when it comes to dealing with the Deputy President.
The Mombasa County boss further explained that he would wash DP Ruto's dirty linen in public and he wouldn't feel bad about it.
Joho told Ruto to respect Raila, describing the ODM Party leader as an honourable man for not stooping too low when the DP lashes out at him.
"William Ruto is lucky his competitor is Baba. Raila is an honourable man, he speaks with respect but if he was facing me one-on-one, he would regret it. I would not spare him. If he hits out at me, I would hit back," Joho stated.
He mobilized the coastal people to vote for Raila in 2022 urging them not to give up since they have backed the ODM leader religiously in the last three elections.
Joho opined that voting for Raila would be a significant moment for the country and would make the presidency dream a reality for any person from all communities in Kenya.
"I realized that we had to put in place mechanisms that will allow any Kenyan from any part of the country to become President if he or she wishes to do so,” the Mombasa Governor stated.
"We should support Raila Odinga for the presidency. In five years time, we will be waiting to succeed him,” he added.
Joho's remarks come as a section of leaders from various parts of the country vow to back the former Prime Minister in 2022. Raila has not expressly declared his presidential ambitions but all signs indicate that he will be on the ballot.
The ODM leader on Friday was in Nyamira County where he received blessings from Cabinet Secretaries Mutahi Kagwe (Health), Eugene Wamalwa (Defence) and Fred Matiang'i (Interior).
Political pundits opined that as we draw closer to the 2022 General Election, the political dynamics in the country will take twists and turns with politicians staking their claim in the race.
This will see various alliances emerge while in other cases, politicians will decamp to different factions in a bid to secure their interests.
