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Joho sets sights on 2027 presidency, asks Raila for support

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

By Farhiya Hussein | Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Joho's declaration sets the stage for an intriguing chapter in Kenya's political landscape, with a number of ODM leaders showing interest in the presidential seat and asking for the party's support.

Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has distanced himself from county politics and officially declared his intention to run for president in the 2027 General Election.

Joho, a prominent figure in Kenya's political scene, announced his plan in the county on Tuesday, resurfacing from a long hiatus and accompanying opposition chief Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir to launch the Governors Scholarship Programme.

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After Mr Odinga lost the presidential race to William Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza coalition in the 2022 General Election, Joho withdrew from the spotlight for several months.

He made his first public appearance since then last year, saying he was travelling overseas for medical care and to adbvance his education.

In October 2023, Joho made appeared at a news conference in Nairobi, which parliamentarians, cabinet secretaries, and other officials from the Coast region attended.

Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, opposition leader Raila Odinga and Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir during a tour of the county on February 13, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

Joho's declaration sets the stage for an intriguing chapter in Kenya's political landscape, with a number of ODM leaders showing interest in the presidential seat and asking for the party's support.

“I was traveling but my party leader, Baba (Kiswahili for 'father') called me, informing me that he would be in Mombasa so I needed to be present," he said.

"People are lamenting, [saying] I should vie again for a seat in Mombasa. Listen carefully ... I am done with Mombasa politics. Who said if you are born in Mombasa you cannot be a President?"

The ex-governor asked Odinga, leader of the Azimio la Umoja coalition and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), to back him.

“I supported Raila Odinga under all conditions and now I request him to support me. I have heard other ODM leaders also saying they are going for the presidential position. No problem. We will all vie and see who gets it,” he said.

Responding, Odinga said ODM's March elections, which will see nominated county and constituency officials attend a National Delegates Convention, will determine the party's presidential candidate.

“Here they will choose all the leaders including a new party leader. If they decide it is me, okay, and if not, it is okay too. That is democracy, so nobody should say I am an automatic candidate for the presidency. Hassan Joho is a deputy party leader of ODM so the ODM presidential ticket is on the table. If Joho or Kalonzo gets nominated I will support them,” he said.

He added, “We did an ODM membership recruitment drive from November last year and in March we will have the ODM elections. We will start from the polling station where the members will choose their leaders."

Kalonzo Musyoka is the leader of the Wiper Democractic Movement.