Joho: Sifuna’s rise a heat of the moment, will soon fade

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, Mining CS Hassan Joho, Kisii Governor Simba Arati and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir in Mombasa on Sunday / BRIAN  OTIENO

Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has dismissed ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s political rise as a “heat of the moment” scenario that will soon fade.

Joho likened Sifuna to an opportunist who has seized on the country’s political excitement and taken advantage of it.

He also suggested that Sifuna’s Linda Mwananchi outfit is driven by selfish interests.

“When someone sees that this may be something popular, you rush with it at the expense of our party. For the 20 years that we have served this party, we’ve lived it, my friend. All that,” Joho said.

He spoke on Monday during the ODM retreat that extended an olive branch to the Linda Mwananchi faction.

Joho said there is only one ODM, which cannot be recreated.

He said he was present when the party was formed, holding the Kisauni Constituency ODM chair as his first party position. He was later elected National Organising Secretary while serving as Kisauni MP, a role he held for about five years.

In the subsequent party election, he was elected Deputy Party Leader and served for 10 years.

He told Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino not to be overambitious at the expense of the party, noting that they are not the only ones with ambitions in ODM.

He said some ambitious members ensure their aspirations do not overshadow the party.

“Don’t imagine that some of us do not have ambitions. We do. Do I think that I can be a party leader? Yes. Can I make a good party leader? I believe so. Do I have the aspiration? Yes, I do.

“But the party is greater than my aspirations. The party is greater than my ambitions. And I believe that our time will also come,” Joho said.

He noted that it may not be today, but ODM will at some point give them an opportunity to lead.

The former Mombasa governor said Kenyans should not dismiss ODM’s ambition of capturing the presidency one day.

“I know we will. We just have to stick to our values and principles and stop selfish, ‘heat of the moment’ excitement,” Joho said.

He said Kenya’s five-year electoral cycle is not short and can define a person’s life.

“Sometimes I see some of us get excited. They are given a little pressure and get excited, thinking short-term popularity will help them. What should drive you are the values and principles of the party,” Joho said.

He said both Sifuna and he are students of Baba’s school of politics, adding that Baba knew when to be tough, when to soften and when to negotiate.

“Some of us have been lucky to have been involved in some of the negotiations that Baba led,” Joho said.

He said some people treat it as a contest over who knew Baba best and who was closest to him.

“As a matter of fact, Baba talked to all of us. Baba loved us equally. Baba treated us equally and treated us well. The values we speak about were deeply inculcated in us; it was Baba who instilled them,” Joho said.

He said Baba had a dream that involved unity in the party first, then unity in Kenya, and that is what all ODM members should strive to uphold.