Is Aisha Jumwa contemplating running for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat under ODM ticket? Speculation is rife over the political future of the Malindi MP after a photo of the legislator with COTU Boss Francis Atwoli went viral on social media over the weekend.
Even though Francis Atwoli said his meeting with Ms. Jumwa was nothing political, those close to the Cotu Boss say the weekend meeting was about 2022 and also one where the two (Jumwa and Atwoli) buried the hatchet after a public spat in 2019.
”It was 2022 politics. With Kingi heading for retirement, some people feel the Malindi MP can be handed an ODM ticket for the seat. Anything is possible in politics. Remember there are only permanent interests not enemies in politics.”
Also present at the meeting was the newly elected Msambweni MP Feisal Badder, an Independent MP who was backed by allies of Deputy President William Ruto.
Francis Atwoli has been a prominent figure around President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga and is believed to be part of a team currently engaged in ruthless lobbying in the background, to cobble up a formidable alliance led by Raila in 2022.
Currently, Jumwa is the only woman who has expressed interest in the long queue of aspirants who seek to take over when Kingi’s second term elapses.
Others who have expressed their interest in the seat are Devolution CAS Gideon Mung’aro , Kenyan envoy to Tanzania Dan Kazungu, Kilifi speaker Jimmy Kahindi, Labour CS Kazungu Kambi, Magarini MP Michael Kingi, former Kilifi Agriculture chief officer Baha Nguma and Dzombo Mbaru.
