Home » Is Raila Odinga preparing Hassan Joho to be presidential running mate?

Is Raila Odinga preparing Hassan Joho to be presidential running mate?

by Enock Ndayala

ODM leader Raila Odinga has endorsed retiring Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho for a seat bigger than the county’s topmost job he has held for the last 9 years.

Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, June 17, Raila said Joho- who is serving his final term- has got skills and potential to play at the national level.

“You all know Hassan Ali Joho has done a very good job here in Mombasa. And now his period is coming to an end. But Hassan Joho is a man who has a lot of potential and a lot of skills and that is why I want him to leave the county league and join the national league,” Raila declared.

Hassan Joho
Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, June 17, Raila who is on his tour at the Coast said Joho who is serving his final term has got skills and potential to run the national government. Photo: Hassan Joho/Facebook

Joho said he was ready to venture into national politics assuring his supporters that he would show his opponents dust they had never seen in politics.

“And I am the one who tells you when the time comes for politics, do not worry. Even nationally I assure you today that I will show those people who speak great national politics dust like never before,” Joho said.

Raila could be preparing to pick Hassan Joho as his presidential running mate in next year’s election even though he (Raila) has not declared whether or not he will be vying for the presidency.

Analysts observe Hassan Joho could make the best running mate for Raila and give his presidential candidacy the national outlook it deserves considering the fact coast has for long been Raila’s political bastion.

The other likely running mates for Raila Odinga would be Musalia Mudavadi and Kalonzo Musyoka, both of who have publicly declared never to play second fiddle to the ODM leader again.

It is in the same meeting that Raila threw some shade at his fellow NASA co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka a day after the Wiper leader said he cannot support Raila’s presidential ambition again.

Joho who has already applied to contest for the ODM flag bearer ticket in the 2022 General Election will however have to battle out for the party ticket with his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya who is also ODM joint deputy party leader alongside the Mombasa governor.

Oparanya who had earlier on asked Raila Odinga to support him for the top seat made a U-turn saying he will shelve his presidential ambitions in the event Raila Odinga expresses interest for the top seat.

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