Why Jubilee must change strategy in 'Sultan' Hassan Joho's backyard

Embattled ODM Deputy party leader Ali Hassan Joho is still the most popular politician, commanding over 60 per cent of followership.

A latest survey by TIFA has found that Joho is the most preferred candidate for Mombasa county chief, days after the bullying experienced by the ‘sultan’.

The Governor, the study says, commands a 68 per cent following and that Tourism CS Najib Balala and governor aspirant Suleiman Shahbal follow, tying at with a nine percent popularity.

Read:DP ENDORSES SULEIMAN SHAHBAL TO UNSEAT JOHO, WARNS DRUG PEDDLERS

Senator Omar Hassan, who is jostling to unseat Joho, has six per cent popularity, with Nyali MP Hezron Awiti, who is also vying for the gubernatorial seat commanding a meagre two per cent. Of the poled, five percent opined that they are undecided.

On gubernatorial candidature preference, Joho scooped a whopping 68 per cent rating, trailed by Jubilee’s Shabhal, with a 15 per cent rating and then came Omar at seven per cent. Wiper’s Hezron Awiti came last with three per cent, way below a seven percent population which is yet to decide on the way forward.

Joho prominence challenge

Earlier, during preparations for Jubilee's rally at Tononoka grounds on March 11, gubernatorial hopeful Shahbal said that residents were tired of "politics of dancing and insulting national leaders", hitting hard at the NASA team, in which Joho is affiliated.

He said the meeting would be the beginning of the change the county has been waiting for and its "full liberation".

The study also revealed that a majority of residents did not support President Uhuru Kenyatta's move to bar Joho from attending the Mtongwe ferry relaunch.

Out of the 550 people polled, 71 per cent did not support Uhuru's action while 19 per cent said the President was right.

In terms of party affiliation, 84 per cent NASA supporters and 33 per cent of Jubilee's did not agree with the action.

Only seven per cent NASA supporters agreed with Uhuru's decision alongside 54 per cent of Jubilee supporters.

Joho was stopped by GSU and Flying Squad officers at Nyali bridge while on his way to the launch. He claimed he was also placed under office arrest until the end of the function.

Uhuru and Joho have been embroiled in a tussle over development projects in the region, the latest episode being that of the relaunch on March 13.

Their exchange culminated into the President asking Joho to stop following him as though he were his wife.

Party allegiance

The research further found that a majority of Mombasa residents (66 per cent) felt closest to the National Super Alliance whose co-principals are Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Moses Wetang'ula (Ford Kenya) and Musalia Mudavadi (Amani National Congress).

Twenty three per cent said they were aligned to Jubilee while 10 per cent are undecided.

According to the poll, 57 per cent of Mombasa voters were undecided on who to elect as Senator.

The seat is currently held by Omar who is bidding for governor.

The incumbent, who will vie on a Wiper ticket, got a 13 per cent rating and was followed by Jubilee's Abdusalaam Kaasim at 12 per cent. Then came Mohammed Abbas (ODM) at seven per cent.

Women representative

For the woman representative post, the residents rated current MP Mishi Mboko at 44 per cent while 36 per cent said they were undecided.

Asha Hussein Mohamed was rated at five per cent while Millicent Adhiambo and Deputy Governor Hazel Katana each got ratings of four per cent each. Katana recently defected to Jubilee citing frustration in Joho's administration.

Sahra Nyamvula and Zamzam Mohamed got ratings of two per cent each.

The study was carried out from March 16 to 18 and involved 550 respondents aged 18 and above.

You may read the whole report here.