Coast leaders endorse Joho to succeed Raila as ODM Party Leader

A section of Coastal political leaders have thrown their weight behind ODM Deputy Party Leader, Hassan Joho as he bids to succeed Raila Odinga for the Party Leadership position.

Joho's candidacy has ignited a sense of unity among the coastal leadership, who view him as a capable and experienced leader poised to steer the party forward.

In Wajir this month, ODM leader Raila Odinga backed his deputies Hassan Joho and Wycliffe Oparanya to assume leadership roles within the party if his bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship is successful.

On Saturday, Joho invited a section of coastal leaders for iftar at his residence in what insiders term to be strategic steps in the party's succession process.

Among those in attendance were East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Hassan Omar, Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, Mombasa Speaker Aharub Khatri, and Mvita MP Mohamed Soud among other political leaders.

“I am rooting for you indeed and pray for my brother Ali Hassan Joho as the next Party Leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Though fierce rivalry was the order of our politics, it was never personal and we never lost the soul of our brotherhood and friendship,” said the EALA MP.

Hassan noted it is now that the moment of brotherhood and sisterhood in politics begins.

“The divide must sublime just by the sheer weight of necessity. Beyond formations and partisanship, President William Ruto and Raila Odinga have set in motion a moment of history. The Coast and the entire sphere of the minorities and marginalized deserve a place on the table across political formations. It is a constitutional imperative and a political prerequisite. You my brother Ali Hassan Joho have earned your place in ODM over the years and established yourself as a central and indispensable pillar of the party,” he added.

Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and EALA MP Hassan Omar during the Iftar session on March 16, 2024. (Photo: Handout)

ODM debate

According to Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, there has been a debate within ODM over who will lead the party if Raila Odinga goes to the African Union.

“It cannot be for all these years that there were two deputies in the party. If Raila goes and says he's leaving that position, we from the Coast also want to lead the party. The Coast has always stood with ODM. For all the good and bad days we stood with Raila, So people should not think we have no say. We, from the Coast, will stand with Joho as successor,” said Mung’aro.

Raila's announcement at an ODM gathering in Wajir may resolve conjectures about his potential successor within the party, given his aspirations for the African Union Commission chairperson position with Oparanya and Joho being touted as the frontrunners.

In his initial public acknowledgement of his favoured successor, Raila emphasised that his departure from local politics should not undermine the solid foundation the party has established over the past 20 years.

While in Mombasa last month, the former governor appealed to Raila Odinga, who leads the Azimio la Umoja coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), for his endorsement.

"I stood by Raila Odinga through thick and thin, and now I urge him to stand by me. I've heard other ODM leaders expressing their intentions to run for the presidency. That's fine. We will all compete and see who prevails," he stated.

In his response, Raila stated that the ODM's upcoming March elections, where nominated county and constituency officials will participate in a National Delegates Convention, will determine the party's presidential nominee.

Other coastal leaders who have endorsed Joho for the ODM Party leader position include Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, Likoni MP Mishi Mboko, and Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohamed among others.