Why Coast leaders are pushing for Joho as ODM's choice for Ruto running mate

Mining Cabinet Secretary Ali Hassan Joho is now angling for a potential running mate of President William Ruto in next year’s General Elections.

Joho, who served as Mombasa Governor for two terms, alongside his supporters, believe that he brings fresh air into Ruto’ re-election bid should his ODM party nominate him.

Those of the school of thought believe that the 49-year-old can easily excite a large voting block that includes Coast/Muslims, youths and women voters, and thus add value to Ruto’s quest.

“He can mobilise over four million Muslims, as well as another one million from youths and women across the country. He is liked by these demographics and easily excites them,” a leader from the Coast region said.

His allies also argue that Joho is eloquent and a good mobiliser who can move crowds not just in the Coast region but any part of the country.

“He is a very charismatic leader who understands the art of politics unlike some of his potential competitors within the ODM,” one of his strategists said.

Joho has to contend with opposition from the Mt Kenya region, where locals have vowed to stand by current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, as well as internal competition within ODM, where other leaders are said to be eying the seat.

His cabinet colleagues John Mbadi (Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Wycliff Oparanya (Cooperatives), as well as Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, are among the big names being mentioned as possible nominees for ODM as Ruto’s running mate.

The public entry into the race for the running mate slot began displaying itself on Sunday, shortly before the Linda Ground rally in Tononoka, with a truck bearing the picture of Ruto and Joho’s portrait emerging.

And when he arrived at Tononoka, the former Governor who also served as Kisauni MP and Assistant Minister for Transport, did not hide his intentions.

“Let me tell you, people of Mombasa, the politics of tomorrow is usually planned today. When you look at me, don’t I look like someone who can be the President of Kenya?” he posed to ODM supporters.

He added, “Many things will be said, but I am putting together my plans so that in the future days, Kenya will know there can be a President Ali Hassan Joho elected on the ODM Party ticket.”

However, in a clever and strategic move to excite the crowd, Joho did not expressly state his quest for the running mate slot, but made a public declaration that he is ready to take over from Ruto as the country’s sixth President in the future

“I’m letting my competitors know that for now I am backing Oburu Oginga as the ODM Party Leader and President William Ruto, but I am putting them on notice and telling them that in the near future they should get used to saying President Ali Hassan Joho,” Joho said as the crowd cheered.

His ODM party has already mandated Oginga to open talks with President Ruto on an alliance ahead of 2027, with ODM leader saying his party will go for nothing less than the running mate slot.

Coast leaders also rallied behind Joho, with several speakers arguing that the region must have a seat at the table in negotiations and in the party’s future leadership plans.

“Tunahitaji mmoja wetu anayejua shida za Pwani… lazima Joho awe hapo atupiganie,” Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed said.

Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga added, “In the forthcoming talks, the Coast must be represented at the table.”

In response, Oburu affirmed that CS Joho will be central in the talks between UDA and ODM. Joho has earlier hosted the ODM brigade for lunch before heading to the Tononoka rally.

On Sunday, DP Kithure Kindiki and his allies told off the ODM leaders eyeing his seat, saying the position is not up for grabs.

“I am the Deputy President. This seat is going nowhere, and when we are done with the second term, we will progress ahead in search of a higher office,” Prof Kindiki said in Meru during a public rally.

On Wednesday, February 11, Oburu sought to assure his party supporters that he will push for the DP slot, just a few days after he told Prof Kindiki that the party is not interested in dethroning him.

"There was something that people misinterpreted. They claimed that I said that ODM does not want the DP seat, but that's the position we have our eyes on. What I said is that we do not have a personal grudge or issue with Kindiki, but that seat is a public position," Oburu said at a meeting with ODM delegates in Mombasa.