Hassan Joho, Mombasa county governor has finally unveiled his new running mate ahead of the August 8 elections.
Earlier reports indicated Joho would settle for Francis Thoya, Mombasa county secretary, but he has instead picked William Kazungu Kingi to face his rival Senator Omar Hassan.
Kingi, a lecturer at Mombasa Technical University, replaces Hazel Katana, Joho’s former deputy who defected to Jubilee party. She defected to the Jubilee camp citing frustrations within the governor’s inner circle.
Joho’s reveals his choice days after his opponent, Senator Hassan Omar named Linet Shuma as his running mate.
Joho’s rivals, Omar, Jubilee’s Suleiman Shahbal and Awiti Bolo all settled for running mates from the Mijikenda community. Kingi hails from Galore in Malindi, while his mother comes from the Taita community.
The governor will officialy unveil Kingi as his running mate on Thursday, May 24 in Mombasa.