Raila Explains Joho’s Political Silence

Azimio leader Raila Odinga has confirmed that former Mombasa governor Hassan Ali Joho is still a member of the coalition. 

In an interview with NTV on Monday, Raila explained that Joho is busy dealing with ODM party matters abroad but he still has a role to play in Azimio. Raila reiterated that Joho is an active member of the ODM party. After the August 2022 general elections, Joho went silent on his social media handles leading to speculations that he might have ditched the opposition for the ruling outfit. However, he eventually started making public appearances and in April during the Eid prayers, the former county boss restated his loyalty to the ODM party leader. 

“I subscribe fully to the ideology of Raila Odinga, it is only for health reasons that I have been away, even as we speak I’m still recovering. Once I feel better, Raila will be behind me in the demonstrations. I am ODM and ODM is me, I am Raila and Raila is me,” he said   

Joho’s political silence comes amid anti-government protests aimed at the ouster of President William Ruto. Several Azimio leaders have been arrested in connection to the demonstration. Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch and two other Nairobi MCAs have been accused of conspiring to incite public demonstrations against Ruto’s regime. The trio appeared before Milimani chief magistrate Lucas Onyina on Monday and denied the charges. 

The Azimio leaders are accused of having mobilized and incited the public to commit subversive activities during July 12 demos. Lawyers including LSK President Eric Theuri and Peter Kaluma on Monday urged the court to release the accused persons on bail, saying that they are state officers. Theuri said the accused have a fixed abode hence no flight risk.