Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has listed reasons why he is the best candidate to lead the ODM party in the event opposition leader Raila Odinga clinches the AU Commission chairmanship slot.
The former Governor said he is the most deserved to be Raila’s heir.
Joho said that over the years, he has learned many fundamental aspects of leadership from the Azimio boss.
“We have inherited courage, democracy, Kenyan values, the rights of Kenyans and fighting for Kenyans with no fear from Raila. The greater conversation on what we have over the period has been able to learn and inherit from Raila,” Joho said.
“Raila is still here and we need him to be here, but if he succeeds in clinching the AU chairmanship position, he is going to be two hours from Mombasa.”
Joho added that since he began his political journey in 2004, he has been under the leadership of Raila.
He dismissed alleged reports that he started being vocal recently saying his track record in ODM spans years ago.
The former governor said that he lost his business and almost got killed because of his allegiance and support for Raila and the ODM party.
“I have sacrificed my life over the years, not for six months, on behalf of Raila Odinga. You are doing so because of possible succession conversations, let us respect each other,” he told off critics.
Joho said that he has stood with the ODM party for years since its formation during which they navigated several challenges.
“I’m in ODM, my party is ODM. I believe that ODM should be the party that forms the next government. If I run for president, I will run in ODM.”
Raila has gained support from local and International leaders after he declared his bid for the AU job.
The race to succeed Raila in ODM has been a subject of heated debate among party members angling to succeed him.
Raila endorsed Joho and former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to succeed him if he wins AU’s top job.
Some politicians from his Luo Nyanza turf however want his succession race to be wide open to all interested candidates and not limited to just Joho and Oparanya.
They argued that the region must get its fair share in leadership as the party’s political bedrock
ODM will next month elect new officials from the grassroots to the national level.
The party has been conducting countrywide membership recruitment drives.
