Mining CS Hassan Joho Declares Intent to Run for President

Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has reaffirmed his intentions to vie for presidency, regardless of his newfound cordial relationship with the Kenya Kwanza authorities. 

Joho spoke on Saturday, June 21, in the course of the burial of the late Karisa Maitha’s son, John Thoya Karisa, the place he reiterated his intentions to change into the primary Kenyan president from the coastal area.

According to Joho, the late Karisa Maitha had essentially the most potential to change into the primary coastal native to change into Kenya’s Head of State, and following his passing, he was the perfect positioned for the job. 

“There was a day I noticed a Coast native who may very well be president,” Joho advised mourners in Mombasa. “But I nonetheless harbour these desires, and I’ve religion that at some point the Coast area will produce a president of the Republic of Kenya.”

The CS additionally appeared to reference his coastal counterpart, the CS for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, who he claims additionally has plans to contest for presidency within the close to future. 

The former Mombasa Governor famous that whereas Mvurya harboured presidential ambitions, he stood a greater likelihood of clinching the highest seat since he had a plan in place. 

Despite his declaration, Joho didn’t specify when he would contest for presidency, with the 2027 polls lower than three years away. 

Notably, this isn’t the primary time Joho has overtly exuded confidence in touchdown the highest job in Kenya. In 2024, months earlier than he was sworn in to move the Mining docket, Joho declared he was achieved with native politics. 

“People have been telling me that within the subsequent normal election, I ought to vie for a neighborhood seat. I need to inform them I’m achieved with Mombasa politics; I’m now specializing in nationwide politics,” Joho mentioned. 

At the time, ODM social gathering chief Raila Odinga additionally hinted that Joho would ultimately run for president on the social gathering’s ticket by reiterating that no place throughout the social gathering was reserved for anybody. 

“No one ought to suppose that I’m routinely the social gathering chief and the presidential candidate. ODM is a democratic social gathering the place members resolve their leaders,” Raila mentioned in February 2024. 

As far because the 2027 presidential race is worried, incumbent William Ruto seems to take pleasure in quite a lot of assist from his Kenya Kwanza allies, together with Joho. Ruto’s solely real risk is the new-look opposition outfit comprising his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party chief Kalonzo Musyoka. 

While the opposition is but to discipline a candidate to rival Ruto within the upcoming polls, Gachagua and his allies are adamant there shall be no splits, and they’re going to work collectively to attempt to take down the Kenya Kwanza authorities.