Joho, Omar rule out zoning in ODM-UDA coalition deal

UDA secretary general and EALA MP Hassan Omar and Mombasa governor Abdulswamad Nassir at Tononoka ground on Friday / BRIAN OTIENO

UDA secretary general and EALA MP Hassan Omar at Tononoka ground on Friday / BRIAN OTIENO

Mining CS Hassan Joho at Masjid Ummu Kulthum on Friday / BRIAN OTIENO

Mining CS Hassan Joho has denied that he is competing against other Coastal leaders to be the regional political kingpin.

At the same time, the former Mombasa governor has ruled out possibility of zoning in the region as part of any political deal between ODM and the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Joho, has recently been traversing both the Coast and the North Eastern regions in what observers say was a move to shore up his numbers so as to boost his chances of becoming President William Ruto’s running mate in 2027.

It is believed to be Joho's long-term strategy to eventually take over from President Ruto in 2032.

However, Joho on Friday said he is not aware of any competition.

“Why haven’t I heard my name being mentioned as being in a competition? If there is, then I will look into it,” he told journalists.

Elsewhere, UDA secretary general Hassan Omar insisted the Coast region has to focus on development after years of marginalisation instead of worrying about who is king.

Speaking at Hustler Centre in Nyali, Omar said focus should be on bringing development to the region which will only be done by the new crop of leaders.

“We are the new elders in town. Being an elder is not about age only. It is also about responsibility. The others are not able to go on with the leadership of this county,” he said.

He said politics should not breed enmity after being friends for a long time.

Although they spoke at different times and places, Omar and Joho both ruled out zoning as part of the ODM-UDA arrangement.

Joho said ODM as a party will field candidates in all positions except at the presidential level.

This, technically, rules out zoning as being proposed by some ODM members in the ODM-UDA collaborative arrangement.

“And we shall vigorously campaign for our candidates, including myself,” the Mining CS said.

At the same time, Omar said his core duty is to ensure Governor Abdulswamad Nassir goes home in 2027.

“My intention is to ensure the governor we have becomes the biggest joker we have ever had, whether there is any cooperation or broad-based arrangement or not, we have to take him home in Ganjoni,” Omar said.

He said Joho will not deputise President Ruto in 2027 even with the ODM-UDA cooperation agreement in place.

“They want to bank on the Coastal heritage to bag the DP slot because they know they have not delivered for the Coastal people,” Omar said.

“Their politics is about whipping up emotions. They do not want policy discussions or performance talk,” he said.

He said UDA members should be bold enough to call out the ODM politicians who want to disrespect Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

“Given a choice between Joho and Kindiki, I will always go with Kindiki,” Omar said.

On Friday, at Tononoka Grounds after praying together with Omar, Nassir said it is not time to talk about politics but to send messages of peace, love and unity.

“This is Eid. It is about putting differences aside and celebrating together in unity,” the governor said.

He called on politicians to stop spreading politics that will divide the region or the country.

Joho and Nassir said the country’s political temperatures are still mild and urged fellow politicians not to escalate their political differences to the extent of threatening the peace of the country.

He said the same people who are now throwing words at each other were the same people who sat together on the same table planning the country’s development. 

“I don’t think there are sparks that could light a fire yet. Let us not go in that direction. Even though it is my hope that political temperatures will cool down,” Joho said at Tononoka.

He dismissed Omar's claims that he was already feeling the heat yet he has not started politicking.

The political temperatures, he said, are yet to rise at the Coast or nationally.

“Those who feel the heat now are those who are not used to it. And nothing has started yet. When it starts, people will run,” he said at the Masjid Ummu Kulthum after Eid prayers.

He said those who have been prematurely campaigning are now surprised that they are getting tired yet the finish line is a long way to go.

“While some were running around the country politicking, we were busy working for the people of Kenya not because we do not understand politics but because we had a duty to serve the Kenyan people,” Joho said.

He said those opposed to him have entered the kitchen and felt the change of heat and thought political temperatures have risen.

Omar, who about two years ago had started warming up to Joho, said the UDA camp cannot be pushed around like their ODM counterparts.

The EALA lawmaker said justice and equity is what drives UDA, unlike the ODM brigade at the Coast, who he said are looking to please certain communities.

“You don’t look for the governorship or the presidency by lying to people that you will ensure your people get opportunities. You look for governorship or presidency to ensure all people in Kenya get equal opportunities,” Omar said.

Joho, however, said he is on a mission to ensure development at the Coast.

“Our trajectory is completely different. Our trajectory is about unity of the people. We want people to be united and our issues be addressed,” Joho said.

He said the Coast has for a long time been marginalised and that it is being recognised this time because there are people who pushed for it to be recognised.

He said in unity, the minorities will become the majority.

“That is our clarion call. If we stand together, those of us who are seen as the minority will become the majority. Let all those who have been marginalised in the past come together and shore up the numbers,” the CS said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

As part of cooperation agreement, ODM is proposing zoning of different parts of the country so as to have both parties maintain their strongholds ahead of the 2027 general election. However, Joho and Omar seem to differ on this saying all parties should use their strength to win seats.