Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has reaffirmed his intentions to vie for presidency, despite his newfound cordial relationship with the Kenya Kwanza government.
Joho spoke on Saturday, June 21, during the burial of the late Karisa Maitha’s son, John Thoya Karisa, where he reiterated his intentions to become the first Kenyan president from the coastal region.
According to Joho, the late Karisa Maitha had the most potential to become the first coastal native to become Kenya’s Head of State, and following his passing, he was the best placed for the job.
“There was a day I saw a Coast native who could be president,” Joho told mourners in Mombasa. “But I still harbour those dreams, and I have faith that one day the Coast region will produce a president of the Republic of Kenya.”
The CS also appeared to reference his coastal counterpart, the CS for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, who he claims also has plans to contest for presidency in the near future.
The former Mombasa Governor noted that while Mvurya harboured presidential ambitions, he stood a better chance of clinching the top seat since he had a plan in place.
Despite his declaration, Joho did not specify when he would contest for presidency, with the 2027 polls less than three years away.
Notably, this is not the first time Joho has openly exuded confidence in landing the top job in Kenya. In 2024, months before he was sworn in to head the Mining docket, Joho declared he was done with 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.
At the time, ODM party leader Raila Odinga also hinted that Joho would eventually run for president on the party’s ticket by reiterating that no position within the party was reserved for anyone.
“No one should think that I am automatically the party leader and the presidential candidate. ODM is a democratic party where members decide their leaders,” Raila said in February 2024.
As far as the 2027 presidential race is concerned, incumbent William Ruto appears to enjoy a lot of support from his Kenya Kwanza allies, including Joho. Ruto’s only genuine threat is the new-look opposition outfit comprising his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
While the opposition is yet to field a candidate to rival Ruto in the upcoming polls, Gachagua and his allies are adamant there will be no splits, and they will work together to try to take down the Kenya Kwanza government.
