Joho’s signature swag wasn't just for vanity; it became a potent political weapon. In 2013, he became Mombasa’s first-ever Governor ("001").
While critics initially dismissed him as a mere "pretty boy" or a "slay king," Joho quickly disabused them of that notion. During the Jubilee administration's first term, Joho famously took on the national state machine. He stood up directly to the presidency, publicly clashing with national leaders on live television over the marginalization of the Coast region.
When the state subsequently withdrew his security detail and shut down family businesses as political retaliation, his fame only multiplied. He leaned into his fashion-forward, bold demeanor, proving that his stylish exterior was backed by nerves of steel.
The Current Reality: Mining Boss and 2027 Power Broker
If you thought Joho's political star faded when his gubernatorial term ended in 2022, look again.
In a classic Kenyan political plot twist, Joho migrated from a fierce opposition commander into a core national leader. Following the mid-2024 political realignment, President William Ruto appointed Joho to the cabinet as the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs. Today, the man who once fought national state power is the very minister managing the multi-billion-dollar maritime trade and mineral concessions, including the massive Mrima Hill rare earth projects.
Furthermore, as Kenya charges headfirst into the 2027 General Election cycle, Joho’s influence is reaching a fever pitch. Prominent coast leaders, including his successor Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, have publicly declared that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) will aggressively demand the Deputy President position for Joho come 2027. Joho himself recently sent shockwaves through the political arena, boldly stating, "I was a nobody... In the future, I will be the President. I have faith that one day you will call me President."
For years, residents of Kitui County have found themselves caught at the intersection of recurring border violence, resource conflicts, and intense political finger-pointing. What locals and commentators often refer to as the "politics of terror and death" encompasses both deadly armed attacks along the county’s eastern borders and the bitter political battles over how leadership responds to these crises.
As communities demand lasting peace, the recurring bloodshed has sparked fierce debate over governance, accountability, and the real cost of political inaction.
1. The Reality of Border Terror and Banditry
Across sub-counties bordering Tana River and Garissa, such as Mwingi North, Mwingi Central, Kitui East, and Kitui South insecurity is not an abstract political talking point; it is a lived reality. For decades, communities have endured periodic raids, violent clashes with armed camel herders, and loss of life.
Deadly Escalations: In late April 2026, tragedy struck Kwa Kamari Township in Tseikuru Ward when armed assailants stormed the market, killing seven residents six men and a woman and burning down shops, motorcycles, and a petrol station. Just days later, a 14-year-old boy was killed in Ukasi, Nguni Ward, compounding the grief across the region.
Cycles of Retaliation: Security officials and observers have noted that these incidents frequently stem from deep-seated resource and grazing disputes that spiral into retaliatory attacks. Homes are burned, schools and local businesses are disrupted, and hundreds of families are routinely displaced out of fear of further bloodshed.
2. Political Friction and Street Demonstrations
Beyond the border raids, Kitui’s internal political landscape has long been marked by high-stakes confrontations, street protests, and accusations of heavy-handedness or neglect.
Historically, political rivalries in the county have spilled onto the streets from past clashes over town kiosk demolitions and governance disputes during heated election cycles, to modern-day protests demanding accountability from county leadership.
In June 2026, following the wave of killings in Tseikuru and Nguni, peaceful demonstrations erupted in Kitui town. Opposition figures, including National Liberal Party leader Dr. Augustus Kyalo Muli, publicly faulted Governor Dr. Julius Malombe for perceived silence and inaction, accusing the county administration of failing to adequately engage bereaved families or confront the deteriorating security situation head-on.
3. The Blame Game vs. Structural Solutions
Whenever violence erupts in Kitui, a familiar political script unfolds: leaders issue strong condemnations, trade blame across party lines, and call on the national government for emergency deployments.
National vs. County Responsibility: County leaders, including Governor Malombe and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), have repeatedly urged the national government and security agencies, including the National Police Service, General Service Unit (GSU), and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to conduct joint operations and fully operationalize police posts already constructed by the county along the border. Meanwhile, national officials have warned against politicizing recurring resource crimes.
Calls for Policy Over Rhetoric: Civic commentators and local analysts argue that political outrage alone will never end the bloodshed. Critics point out that after the burials and press conferences conclude, the urgency often fades without a single arrest or structural reform.
The Conservation Corridor Proposal: Experts and community voices have pushed for long-term legislative and environmental fixes, such as establishing a protected wildlife and grazing corridor from Mwingi North to Kitui South, passing strict county laws with heavy penalties against illegal grazing, and properly funding community conservancies outlined in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
4. Moving Forward: Beyond the Cycle of Grief
The tragedy in Kitui County highlights a painful truth: when security is treated merely as a tool for political scoring, ordinary citizens pay the ultimate price. Ending the era of terror and death in Kitui requires moving past seasonal condemnation toward coordinated border policing, enforceable land-use laws, and genuine political will from both county and national leaders.
