Mining and Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho


Some Coast leaders are pushing for Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet secretary Hassan Joho to replace the late Raila Odinga as the new ODM Party leader.
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The new push comes as key leaders within the Orange party jostle to be President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 presidential race.

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Joho alongside Cooperatives CS WycliffeOparanya were Raila’s long time deputies until Raila seconded them as ministers in Ruto’s government.

Speaking during the event, Kaloleni MP Paul Katana said Joho should take over the party and steer it back to its former glory.

The party has in recent days been rocked by infighting.

The leaders who spoke at Sun N Sand Hotel in Kikambala, Kilifi county, to posthumously celebrate the Raila’s birthday, were however divided as to whether to remain in the party or form another Coastal party.

Some leaders like former CS Aisha Jumwa backed the idea of having Joho as ODM boss, saying she is ready to return to the Orange party should Joho become the leader.

However, she noted that if that does not happen, then she backs the idea of the Coastal region having its own party.

But her idea of a Coastal party was quickly dismissed by her political nemesis Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, who said ODM is a national party and it will be foolhardy to quit a national party to join a regional party.

There is no love lost between Mung’aro and Jumwa, with the former CS having declared interest in Mung’aro’s seat in the 2027 general election.

The Kilifi governor said no one should leave ODM for any other party, calling for unity instead.

“So that we shape the direction the party should take,” Munga’ro said.

His sentiments were echoed by Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo who called for a meeting of the party to iron out differences which threaten to tear the outfit apart.

Jumwa, who described Raila as an international icon, said she knew Baba in 2013 when she was a little girl, naïve and primitive in politics.

“But Raila did not see the naivety or primitiveness in me. He saw a leader and leadership in a young girl. And he took his time to mentor me.

“He took me to a level where  I could go on the national stage without fear. I will never forget Raila in my life,” Jumwa said.

She noted it is Baba who pushed her to vie for the Malindi MP seat at a time when it was perceived to be a male-dominated constituency.

Youth Affairs PS Fikirini Jacobs said the party should remain in government saying it is only in government that the Coast region can benefit from the government coffers faster and efficiently.

Joho said he will remain loyal to Baba even in death just as his trusted bodyguard Maurice Ogeta was loyal to him.

Ogeta was among the guests invited for the celebration and was received with applause upon his arrival.

The Mining CS dismissed those criticising him for celebrating Baba’s birthday saying he is not sorry for the gesture.

“I will celebrate Baba and keep on celebrating him till I die,” Joho said.

He said he remains a politician even after being appointed CS and will make political statements and comment on political issues.