Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho found himself in an awkward moment during an ODM meeting in Kwale after a woman speaker openly rejected efforts to rally local supporters behind the broad-based government arrangement between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Joho, who was accompanied by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, appeared surprised as the woman challenged the two leaders to listen to grassroots supporters who, she said, were opposed to being forced to embrace the political partnership.
Addressing the meeting, the woman told Joho that while coastal residents respected him as their political kingpin, they wanted him to convey their concerns to the national leadership.
“CS, you are our son, and we love you. You are our kingpin here in Kwale and in the coastal region. But we want you to hear us. We do not want to be told to support broad-based government,” she said.
She questioned the level of cooperation between ODM and UDA, citing a recent broad-based government meeting in Kwale where she claimed local ODM supporters were excluded.
“Look at the recent meeting here by the broad-based. Local ODM supporters were not allowed there. We were chased away. Where is the cooperation there?” she posed.
The woman further urged Joho to listen to women and other grassroots supporters, arguing that they were the ones bearing the brunt of economic challenges and should therefore have a say in political decisions affecting the region.
“CS, listen to us. Listen to the women here. They are your mothers. They are the ones suffering,” she said.
She also cautioned against what she described as outside interference in the choice of leaders in Kwale, insisting that residents should be allowed to determine who will contest for the governor's position.
“We do not want outside interference. We want to pick our governor. Do not force people on us. We want to decide who the next governor will be,” she said.
The speaker raised concerns over the possibility of ODM and UDA reaching an agreement that could affect ODM's decision to field a candidate for governor in Kwale.
“Make us understand, if the broad-based arrangement decides that ODM will not field a governor in Kwale, where will that leave us?” she asked.
She warned that such an arrangement could weaken ODM's political presence in the county and undermine Joho's influence in the region.
“If that happens, who recognises you, Joho? There will be no voice of ODM from Kwale,” she said.
The woman then told Joho to take their message directly to President William Ruto, arguing that the President should engage directly with coastal voters if he wants their support in the 2027 General Election.
“We are sending you to President William Ruto. If the Head of State wants our votes, let him call us. We do not want people to be imposed on us,” she said.
