Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and Nyali MP Hezron Awiti in Unexpected Unity

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho and his main challenger Nyali Member of Parliament Hezron Awiti shared a platform during a political rally in Nyali.

Governor Joho had visited the constituency to launch a road expansion project where the two conveyed their unity through a pledge to unveil peaceful campaigns and to foster peace among their supporters.

The two told their supporters that they were opening a new era of political tolerance among rival politicians and political parties.

Awiti described the meeting as a historic day for the people of Mombasa. Governor Joho added that their unity demonstrated that the people of Mombasa were united.

Mr Awiti had only a day earlier empathized with the Governor's on his troubles over forged academic papers.

"Sorry for your troubles. All these will end. Where you are from is not important. Where you are going is," Awiti empathized.

Analysts speculate that the reconcilliatory words exchanged by the two could signify the beginning of a different relationship between them.

"A likely event could be they might work together after Awiti felt betrayed by Wiper," Philip Kaulu a political analyst from the Technical University of Mombasa told The Star.

The two who have been arch rivals since the run up to the 2013 Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party nominations when Awiti accused Governor Joho of plotting to rig him out.