Mohamed Jicho Pevu laughed off Hassan Joho’s bid for the deputy president seat during a lively rally in Zimmerman, Nairobi, on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The Nyali MP, recently endorsed by Rigathi Gachagua as the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate for Mombasa governor in 2027, called Joho’s ambitions a joke.

Jicho Pevu addressed the crowd with energy and confidence. He declared his rising role in Coast politics, saying:

“Niseme nisiseme! Mimi nataka kutoa ujumbe kati kati mwa jiji la Nairobi. Ya kwamba kule Mombasa, atakaye ongoza jeshi la nchi kavu, ya wanamaji, na hewani, kupitia Riggy G, na Kalonzo Musyoka, na United Opposition, atakuwa ni Jicho Pevu.”

He stressed that the youth must rise and push hard for change in Mombasa.

“Sisi kule Mombasa tunasema kama noma na iwe noma,” he said.

Jicho Pevu spoke of a third wave of energy building across regions.

“Vuguvugu la tatu limeanza. Tuko na wazee mbele yetu. Ambao watatuongoza na hekima. Ukiskia kule Kitengela vijana wanafanya kazi. Siaya kazi inaendelea. Central kazi inaendelea. Kisii kazi inaendelea. Ukambani kazi inaendelea. “Ukiona Jicho Pevu, jua kuku kashatolewa manyoya; kazi imebaki ni kumla.”

Turning to those spreading rumours, he claimed Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka had agreed on one leader to unite the Coast.

“Na wale wanaoeneza propaganda wajue ya kwamba his excellency Rigathi Gachagua, na Kalonzo Musyoka, wamekaa chini, na wamekubaliana simba ni mmoja nigurume pwani mzima nilete watu wa Pwani kwa hesabu,” he said.

The rally marked Gachagua’s public endorsement of Jicho Pevu as DCP’s Mombasa governor candidate. Speaking at the event, Gachagua said:

“Huyu kijana anaitwa Mohamed Ali, AKA Moha, AKA Jicho Pevu. Huyu ni mjumbe wa Nyali for the second time, na yeye ndio candidate wangu wa kiti cha gavana katika Mombasa County.”

He promised to rally both Muslim and Christian votes behind him. “So wewe Moha, sitakutoa kwa uislamu kwa sababu nahitaji kura yao, nitakuongeza za wakristo alafu utapita,” Gachagua added.

Later, Jicho Pevu clarified on X that Gachagua had only pledged support, not a formal ticket. He wrote: “Rigathi Gachagua amesema he is supporting my candidature. Ni nini huelewi?”

Jicho Pevu targets Joho

The real jab came when he mocked Joho directly.

“Na msikuwe na wasi wasi. Yule wa kule bonoko anajiita sultan mimi ndio dawa yake. Si mnajua namna hiyo? Eti sasa naskia anataka kiti ya deputy president. Nitakuja na makasi nitamyoa design mbili. Upara upande moja na upande mwingine.”

Joho’s DP ambitions gained attention after a truck with branding showed him as Ruto’s running mate in 2027. ODM leaders have pushed strongly for the DP slot.

ODM leader Oburu Oginga has severally stated that the party is firmly targeting the DP role. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga also supported the idea. At a rally in the Coast on Saturday, February 14, 2026, she said:

“We have told our leader Dr Oburu Oginga that we as a party have sat in opposition for 20 years, and come 2027, we do not want to stay in opposition anymore.”

Mt Kenya leaders defended Kindiki’s position. Maragua MP Mary Wamaua said:

“Si tuko position namba mbili? Mnataka hiyo ichukuliwe?”

Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku declared:

“Professor Kithure Kindiki is the Deputy President now. He is the one who will remain DP in 2027 and serve up to 2032.”

Kithure Kindiki himself hit back on February 14, saying:

“Msibabaishwe na ile mambo kidogo kidogo ambayo mnaskia hapa na pale. Hii mambo ingine yotta ya siasa, sisi ndio mafundi wa siasa… Na hatuongeangi saana.”

Jicho Pevu’s roast highlighted tensions in the Coast. While Joho eyes higher office through ODM-Ruto ties, Jicho Pevu aligns with Gachagua’s opposition push and eyes the Mombasa governor’s seat. The exchange shows that 2027 battles are already heating up, with sharp words and shifting alliances.