Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has explained that he has been missing out on Azimio la Umoja events because of health issues. Joho, who is also ODM deputy party leader, said he has just returned from abroad where he had gone for surgery and he would soon be back on the streets.
Speaking in Mombasa after Eid Ul Fitr prayers, Joho reaffirmed his support for Azimio la Umoja and its leader Raila Odinga.
“I went through some surgery, I am recovering and that is the main reason you have not seen me where you should see me. But I want it to be known that I’m 100 percent subscribed to the ideologies of the Azimio coalition,” he said.
“I support Azimio’s agenda but am disappointed to see here in Coast, a region considered an ODM zone, leaders are not ready to participate. Soon you will see me in the streets, The reason for going to the streets is that life has become unbearable, people are suffering, yet the government is playing politics. They should act; as a government, you can’t keep on talking, you must act.”
Joho together with Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu have been missing in action since last year’s elections as Raila Odinga fights to re-establish his relevance in Kenya’s fast-moving political scene. This has raised questions about whether the trio which was very visible during the campaigns is still close to the ODM leader or if they went their separate ways.
In Joho’s absence, the coastal region which has for years been an ODM zone has become an open playfield, with Kenya Kwanza taking advantage to make inroads. To make matters worse, other ODM leaders, including governors Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa) and Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), have thrown their weight behind the national government vowing to work with Dr Ruto.
“I will return the Coast region to where it was politically. I am asking those who are moving around making noise over winning our supporters to watch out,” said Joho.
