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Is Joho Raila’s running mate in 2017?


Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho is fast emerging as a serious contender to be named Raila Odinga’s running mate ahead of the 2017 general elections.

This is according to observers, ardent Orange Democratic Movement insiders and supporters of Kenya’s main opposition political party.

This thought is drawn from a number of aspects, including Joho’s crucial contribution – especially on the financial bit –  to the party’s activities in recent times, his role as the party’s defacto number two (just ahead of Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya) plus his increasingly vocal course as the party’s spokesman.

Joho is fast becoming influential among ODM supporters. PHOTO | COURTESY/FACEBOOK
Joho is fast becoming influential among ODM supporters. PHOTO | COURTESY/FACEBOOK

For instance, the Mombasa Governor who is also a renowned businessman at the Coast has been on the forefront of all the party activities ahead of its tenth anniversary slated for Saturday.

Incidentally, this two day event which has consumed tens of millions of shillings, has been staged in Joho’s home turf, instead of – say – the capital Nairobi – or Western Kenya, which is ODM’s political home base.

It is instructive to note that ODM’s 10 @ 10 celebrations where tens of vehicles have been “donated” by well wishers to ferry the party’s supporters to the Coast, is being held at the same time as the launch of the Government backed Jubilee party in Nairobi.

Back to the ODM event, it appears that Joho’s image has been deliberately placed alongside that of Raila in most of the party’s paraphernalia, including scrafs, T-shirts, and cars.

Obviously, the ODM (and to an extent) CORD’s presidential flag bearer  is still subject to deliberations, with Odinga, alongside Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetangula and even Musalia Mudavadi touted as possible flagbearers.

Joho isn’t however far away from this lot.

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