Did Joho use and dump Luos after re-election?

Coast region council of Luo elders led by chairman Obara Kings has raised concerns over the  community being used to top up numbers during elections in Mombasa but fail to feature in the major appointments at the county executive. Obara who is pointing accusing fingers at the administration of Governor Hassan Joho that turned a blind a blind eye to the community after his 2017 re-election voed that they will vet all Mombasa gubernatorial aspirants before making a decision on who to back in the 2022 race.

“As a community, we cannot be supporting people to gain leadership and then we become mere spectators. That is why this time round, we are listening to all the aspirants to hear what they have on offer for the community before we make a collective decision. We cannot allow to be used and dumped again,” Obara said.

Luos form one of the most politically active communities in Mombasa politics with a considerably good numbers to demand a proper share of the county government. They are the most vocal  and best at attending rallies in big numbers. They also participate in elections actively compared to Coastal natives like the Swahilis who stay indoors and follow political events on television, radio and social media.

Obara’s sentiments have been backed by  Tom Ogwanjo, Doris Ndege, Joseph Adul, and Hamisi Jasuba who are also keen to rope in other upcountry communities together to get a share of elective seats in Mombasa where ODM party still remains the most popular. The group also argues that the Luos living in Mombasa are the most instrumental in propping and sustaining the leadership of Governor Ali Hassan Joho whose term  will expire in  August 2022.

They further claim that their community has some numerical strength to bargain for plum positions as they point at a case in 2017 general elections when the Mijikenda community led by 98,000 votes, Kambas by 60,000 votes, Luos and Gemas had 50,000 votes, Somali 30,000, Luhya 25,000, Swahili 23,000, Taita 15,000, Kalenjin 10,000 and others 38,000 votes bringing the numbers to 409,000. The native Mijikendas are the largest voting bloc in Mombasa but fail to  participate during elections as majority of them retreat to their rural homes for fear of electoral violence the same way Kambas do.

Drawing backing to the villages by the two communities always leave Luos to dominate elections in Mombasa like in 2013 general election when Luos produced several MCAs and had three of their own were appointed to the county government of Mombasa as ministers. They also bagged the speaker’s slot following negotiations with Joho prior to those elections but the same as not the  case after the governor’s re-election in 2017.

Luos were consumed by Raila Odinga politics and failed to negotiate with Joho for more  appointments after the 2017 polls despite the massive support they gave Joho. They were used and left out Joho’s second term line up.