Coastal political leaders have begun pressuring Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho to assume the leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party following Raila Odinga's death. This emerged during celebrations marking Odinga's 81st birthday in Kikambala, Kilifi County. Politicians warned they would pursue a different political path if Joho is not given the position.
A fresh political contest is unfolding within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, where coastal leaders are insisting that Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Hassan Joho, take over the party leadership role previously held by Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga.
Joho organized an event on Wednesday to celebrate the 81st birth anniversary of the late Raila Odinga in Kikambala, Kilifi County. The commemoration evolved into a political rally, with leaders openly urging Joho to pursue a top position in ODM or rally coastal figures under a new party he would lead.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro stated that the Coast wields significant influence in ODM and urged Joho to seize the party's leadership. He drew parallels to the 2007 split that birthed ODM-Kenya. “Deal with these people and take the party; we don't want half of it. We won't take part A or B but the original party because we deserve it too,” Mung’aro said.
This comes as ODM grapples with internal divisions, with some members backing President William Ruto for a second term in 2027 while others oppose the Kenya Kwanza administration. Joho, a former Mombasa governor and ODM deputy leader, is among those supporting Ruto.
Aisha Jumwa, the former Gender Cabinet Secretary now affiliated with the Pamoja African Alliance, echoed the call for Joho to assume the role to represent the Coast nationally. “If ODM cannot give Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho the position, we as coastal people need to take a different political path. Joho, you have the right and ability to be the party's leader in the country,” Jumwa stated.
Coastal leaders declared they would settle for no less than the Deputy Presidency in the 2022 general elections, aiming to leverage Joho's influence to secure it. Garsen MP Ali Wario remarked, “Our bottom line is Deputy President, not in 2032 but 2027. If ODM makes any deal with President William Ruto, we want the Deputy President to come from the Coast.”
Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu and Kaloleni MP Paul Katana added that Joho was close to Raila, entitling the Coast to a top slot. Joho affirmed his readiness to lead ODM and called on potential allies to join. “We are ODM and ODM is us,” he said.
The leaders urged political unity to safeguard coastal interests, recalling ODM's past successes in uniting the region for electoral gains until the 2022 divisions.
