The clearance of former Nairobi governor, Mike Mbuvi Sonko, to run for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat is seen as a game changer in the pre-dominantly Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) zone.
Sonko - who has served as a Member of Parliament, a Senator and a Governor - is viewed as one of the most seasoned political mobilisers in the country and his clearance by the High Court and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to run for the Mombasa top seat is giving his competitors sleepless nights.
According to political analysts, his entry into the Coast politics changes the competitive dynamics, posing a major threat to Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir of ODM and who has been perceived as the favourite to succeed the outgoing governor, Hasan Ali Joho.
"Incoming of Sonko has an impact even in the neighboring counties. This makes it very difficult for his main competitor, Abdulswamad, to earn much votes in campaigns," says Maimuna Mwidau, a Mombasa-based political analyst.
Branded as a 'people's savior', the analyst argues that Sonko understands what the ordinary Mombasa resident needs.
The current administration is claimed to have catapulted business growth for a few individuals in Mombasa at the expense of ordinary citizens.
With 25 days remaining to the August 9 polls, there is no doubt Sonko has gained mass influence regardless of socio-political dimension in the region.
"The beauty of it is that it has not taken the religious dynamics, class and ethnic dimensions," added Mwidau.
"I do not like Sonko but coming from political point of view, he will be number one," Mike Bichache, a political analyst, stated.
The court on Wednesday, July 13, ruled that IEBC was unreasonable for refusing to accept certified copies of Sonko’s academic papers that were presented to it within the stipulated timelines.
The three-Judge bench of Justices O.A. Sewe, S. Githinji and Lady Justice Ong'injo ruled that Sonko had met all the requirements set by the IEBC to contest for the Mombasa top seat.
The Mombasa governor seat will be contested by Sonko of Wiper Party, Bollo Hezron Awiti (Vibrant Democratic Party), Hassan Omar Hassan (UDA), William Kazungu Kingi (PAA), Mwaruwa Abdalla Hemed (Independent), Nzaro Salim Omar (UPIA), Nassir Abdulswamad Shariff (ODM) and Omari Said Abdalla (Usawa Kwa Wote Party).
On June 4 while releasing the names of politicians who were barred from contesting in the August polls, IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati defended his decision to block Sonko arguing that the former Nairobi governor was removed from office for abuse of public office.
"A person who is removed from office on contravention of Chapter 6 of the Constitution is disqualified from holding office, elective or appointed," Chebukati stated then.
