Uhuru, Joho in secret meeting as Coastal politics shifts

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho have closed ranks in yet another sign of changing political realignments.

This comes following the March 9 handshake between President Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

The two bitter political rivals buried the hatchet after a closed door meeting in Mombasa.

The Monday meeting was made public by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena, who says the President also discussed the Kibarani dumpsite standoff with the Governor.

This is not the first time the two leaders have met since the handshake, in June.

Joho in a change of heart welcomed President Kenyatta during the official opening of the Miritini-Mwache-Kipevu road.

“Today I thought GSU officers would be blocking me, instead, they were facilitating my being here,” Joho joked.

Recently, Joho took a swipe at Deputy President William Ruto saying leaders tainted by allegations of graft should be rejected in 2022.

Joho’s meeting with Kenyatta comes at a time when the Coastal political terrain is undergoing a transformation of sorts.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and Malindi lawmaker Aisha Jumwa appear to have changed tune to now support DP Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, also made peace with Joho, who is serving his second and last term as Mombasa Governor.

The two barely see eye to eye which is further points to the ongoing realignments.

In May last year, Joho was a thorn in the flesh, often rubbing the government the wrong way.

Regional politics had hit fever pitch with the ODM and Jubilee rivalry playing out in the open even during State functions.

At one point, GSU officers stopped Joho from attending a presidential function in Mombasa county.