Joho makes a comeback with eye on ODM top seat

During his two terms in office, former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho presented himself as the ‘Sultan’ of the dynamic political terrain of Kenya's coast.

After handing over the mantle of the county’s leadership to Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir, Joho toned down his political activity.

But he is now emerging from a period of relative silence and has embarked on a journey to reclaim his status as the Coast kingpin, and also with his eyes on the leadership of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, currently led by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

With Odinga angling for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Joho is determined to ascend to the leadership of ODM, and ultimately the presidency. This has ignited a heated succession battle within the party, pitting him against former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya. Both are deputy ODM party leaders.

Oparanya has also insisted that he is keen to succeed the ODM boss as party leader in line with the party’s procedures if Odinga wins the AU election.

“If he succeeds in his AU bid and may not be available to play local politics, I will ask for the party’s leadership. I know there could be other people who are also interested," Oparanya said during a TV interview.

Lately, Joho has embarked on giving food donations to Coast residents through the Hassan Joho Foundation, a non-profit organisation established in 2008. The move is viewed as a tactic to position himself ahead of the 2027 presidential campaigns.

In towns like Voi and Malindi, Joho has been rallying the residents, urging them to embrace courage and unite against the incumbent government. In his speeches, he has painted a picture of a country in need of change, a Kenya ready for bold leadership.

Accompanied by supporters who include MPs, Joho has been asserting his political presence across the coastal landscape, with endorsements pouring in, each one solidifying his position as the region's top leader.

Endorsement

Recently, he has been endorsed by Coast leaders from various political parties to vie for the presidency in 2027.

Hassan Joho with the Coastal Leadership and Narok Senator Ledama Olekina and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi on March 25, 2024. (Photo: X/Hassan Joho)

While accepting the endorsement, Joho has made it clear that he will not relent in his quest for the country’s leadership.

His journey from a political novice in 2004 to the formidable force he has become is a testament to his resilience and determination. From Parliament to his power base in Mombasa, Joho's trajectory has been marked by ambition and unwavering commitment to his vision.

While speaking in Wajir this month, Odinga tasked his deputies Joho and Oparanya to assume leadership roles in the Orange party if his bid for the AU Commission chairmanship succeeds.

And while speaking to journalists in Mombasa, Joho said that should he decide to run for the presidency, he will do so on an ODM party ticket. He said he is collaborating with ODM leaders from western Kenya to advance the party's agenda.

He asserted his longstanding commitment to the party, emphasising his role as one of its founding members, and insisting that he had inherited certain values from Odinga.

"I have been in politics since 2004, and throughout my journey, Raila Amollo Odinga has consistently been my mentor. I have stayed true to his principles, understanding the essence of his values," he said.

Joho underscored the need to have a strong contender to challenge President William Ruto in 2027.

"To remove him and his government from power needs a courageous person. I urge the residents of this region to be courageous," he said during his political meetings in various towns including Voi and Malindi.

Those accompanying Joho in his recent rallies include MPs Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), Mombasa Woman Rep Zamzam Mohammed, and several MCAs from Mombasa led by County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri.

Passing the baton

Speaking at one of the political rallies, Zamzam said it was time for Odinga to pass on the party’s leadership mantle to Joho.

"Joho has been a steadfast supporter of our party leader and the ODM party over the years. We believe that his loyalty merits succession," she said.

ODM deputy party leader Hassan Joho (left) and ODM party leader Raila Odinga. (Photo: X/Raila Odinga)

Last Sunday, Joho invited leaders for iftar at his residence in Nyali in what insiders termed a strategic step in the party's succession process. They included Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Hassan Omar.

“We stand in solidarity with you; I have told people, even within the (ruling) UDA party, that for us, we choose to stand as Coast people. We stand united,” Hassan said.

Joho’s new urge to rise to the party’s top position has also seen him galvanise support from youthful leaders. Early this month, he met some ODM lawmakers ahead of the party’s upcoming grassroots elections.

He has already met with National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino over his bid. In a social media post, Joho insisted that the meeting had everything to do with the opposition party’s politics.

“It is us; we are through with the meeting. The party is strong,” Joho posted after the meeting.

Political analyst Mariam Mwidau noted that Joho’s comeback has shaken up some quarters that had relaxed for some time now.

“These are the local leadership and those who were outside the region. The local leadership will expect a shift towards Joho due to old networks and his ability to mobilise his old comrades.

This shift has been necessitated by the departure of Raila leaving a vacuum and a definite shift in the political ground. Therefore, Joho can take advantage of the vacuum and create his own team as a presidential candidate,” she said.

But Mwidau said that those outside the Coast region will not be sitting easy either following Joho’s return to the political arena.

“This is due to the fact that the vacuum left by Baba (Odinga) could easily be filled by Joho and (his) team rather than anyone else. Is Joho the only hope for Coastal people? Maybe yes, if no other candidate comes around with equal or more ability to mobilise the region. It is too early to say, as one day in politics is too long. Other dynamics could come into play any time before 2027. In the meantime, he has shown an interest and it is up to the coastal people to accept or reject him,” said Mwidau.

Coalition

She added that Joho’s return means the region will feature in the next general elections and maybe even feature as a potential coalition partner with other parties.

Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho addresses ODM supporters in Mombasa County during a tour on February 13, 2024. (Photo: X/ Raila Odinga)

“We are yet to see anything until the day he leaves ODM or becomes the flag bearer for the ODM party.”

Other leaders from the Coast aligned with ODM have also supported Joho's 2027 presidential bid, saying that it is important to have a leader from the region vying for the presidency to potentially become Kenya's sixth head of state.

Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo emphasised the importance of unity among Coast residents in supporting Joho, insisting that he is the most suitable candidate to follow in Odinga's footsteps.

Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi said she would accompany Joho when he embarks on his nationwide campaign for the presidency.

Zamzam and Likoni MP Mishi Mboko also said that the entire Coast region should back Joho's presidential ambitions.

Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu said Joho is the only candidate capable of defeating President Ruto, recalling his previous ‘bold’ confrontations with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in Mombasa.

According to Mombasa Governor Abdulswmad Nassir, Joho is not doing this for his gains but as an inspiration to younger politicians.

More support for Joho has come from ODM party officials from northeastern Kenya who want him to take over ODM’s leadership from Odinga.

Garissa County ODM chairman Mohamed Sheikh Ali said the time is ripe for Odinga to hand over the leadership mantle to Joho, terming him an active mobiliser who has been loyal to the party and to Odinga for a long time.

“Although we are still waiting to get direction from the serving ODM party leader Raila Odinga, we propose that Joho be given the leadership mantle,” Mohamed said.

He noted that the Muslim community in Kenya will also feel included politically as the majority in Coast, Upper Eastern and North Eastern have been massively voting for the party during the general elections.

During a recent ODM party membership recruitment drive in which Odinga was the chief guest, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdillahi said Joho enjoys grassroots support and is popular among the Muslim community in Kenya. He told Odinga that this popularity cannot be underestimated in Wajir.

“Today, if fresh elections are called in Wajir and I am fronted to contest with Joho for the gubernatorial seat, most likely he will beat me; he enjoys massive support,” said the Wajir governor.

EALA MP Fatuma Ibrahim said Joho is a strong political pillar who enjoys the backing of North Eastern and Coast and other regions.

Additional reporting by Issa Hussein and Barack Oduor