“Unless Raila says otherwise, …” – Joho wants To Exit the Political Arena With Raila Odinga

“Unless Raila says otherwise, …” – Joho wants To Exit the Political Arena With Raila Odinga

During a weekend trip to Nyanza, former Governor Hassan Joho stated that he could not imagine himself in a political ecology without Raila Odinga. 

Joho remarked that the former prime minister introduced him to politics, and he wanted to retire with him. 

The former governor stated that the only reason he could not retire with Raila was if the Azimio leader persuaded him otherwise. 

 “I am a founding member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and I want to tell you, in my political life unless Raila says otherwise, I entered politics with Raila and I will exit with Raila,” he stated. 

Joho, the ODM’s Deputy Party Leader, stated that his support for Raila’s ideology drove his decision.

Joho first entered national politics in 2007 as a Kisauni Member of Parliament, before being elected governor in the 2013 and 2027 general elections.

He noted that previous President Uhuru Kenyatta used Raila’s blueprint from his time as Roads Minister to enhance the country’s infrastructure. 

Joho also stated that several of the roads being built by President William Ruto’s administration were proposed by Raila in 2002. 

Raila was appointed Minister of Roads by President Mwai Kibaki in 2002, but the two fell out three years later. 

While Joho expressed a willingness to retire from politics alongside Raila, he remained optimistic that ODM will establish the next government in 2027. 

“Myself I believe I can become President of Kenya,” he spoke of self and the party’s ambition. 

Raila Odinga has consistently guaranteed his followers that he will have a say in the 2027 presidential race. 

Joho did not say if retiring from politics would be the end of his presidential ambitions.

“Unless Raila says otherwise, …” – Joho wants To Exit the Political Arena With Raila Odinga