Hassan Joho Confirms 2032 Presidential Bid, Says He Will Wait for Ruto to Finish His Term
Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has made it clear that he plans to run for president, finally putting to rest any doubts about his ambitions for the country’s highest office.
Although Joho has always expressed his interest in running, the timing of his candidacy has been a bit of a mystery.
While speaking in Garsen, Tana River County, Joho openly supported President William Ruto, stating that he would only enter the race after Ruto has completed his two terms in office.
“We will hold William Ruto’s hand and accompany him. whatever it takes. Once he clocks 2032, we will be waiting for that seat,” Joho told a cheering crowd.
The former governor of Mombasa didn’t hold back when he took a jab at those criticizing certain ODM leaders, including Raila Odinga, for choosing to collaborate with the government. Joho emphasized that ODM wouldn’t be there to “fight other people’s battles” alongside the government.
“I said in Kilifi, we from the Coast can’t be taken to a fight that is not ours. We cannot be used as weapons to fight people who are not our enemies,” he added.
Joho went on to reassure the president that he had strong backing from the coastal region, emphasizing that the Head of State had done a lot to strengthen their voting bloc.
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When it comes to his presidential aspirations, Joho shared in 2024 that he was ready to move on from local politics.
“People were telling me that in the next general election, I should vie for a local seat. I want to tell them I am done with Mombasa politics; I am now focusing on national politics,” Joho said during a public address months before he was appointed to the Mining docket.
At that time, ODM party leader Raila Odinga hinted that Joho might eventually throw his hat in the ring for the presidency under the party’s banner, emphasizing that no position within the party was set aside for anyone in particular.
It’s still unclear who will take the lead after Raila as the ODM’s front runner, especially with the party’s new ties to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Another notable figure linked to ODM who has openly shown interest in a future presidential run is Babu Owino, the Member of Parliament for Embakasi East.
In April, Babu Owino confidently stated that he’s more than qualified for the role and believes he’s the only one in Kenya capable of defeating President Ruto in the upcoming race.
During his speech, Owino pointed out that his greatest qualification is his connection with everyday Kenyans, as he has faced many of the same challenges they do.
Hassan Joho Confirms 2032 Presidential Bid, Says He Will Wait for Ruto to Finish His Term
