Mombasa governor Hassan Joho has refuted claims that he’s seeking to be Raila’s running mate in the 2017 general elections saying that he will be running for a second term as Mombasa governor.

Joho, who was speaking at Likoni as he launched some projects among them a road, said he is not interested in being Raila’s running mate and will be waiting for 2022 to go for the presidency.

“I’m waiting for 2022 when I will battle it out for the national top seat,” he said, adding that he is only Raila’s foot soldier out to strengthen the party and also ensure that he wins the upcoming elections.

Speculations have been rife that Joho would be Raila’s running mate owing to the recent wave of influence and stamina he’s brought back to ODM. Several ODMleaders had even endorsed

Joho also urged Wiper and Ford Kenya to front their presidential nominees so that they can battle Raila in the CORD nomination.

“I want to make it very clear that I will defend my seat as governor of Mombasa in 2017. ODM has already endorsed Raila Odinga as its presidential nominee and I urge Wiper and Ford Kenya to do so that their nominees can face Raila in the CORD nomination,” Joho said.