Hassan Ali Joho, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining and a senior Orange Democratic Movement figure, has finally broken his silence with a congratulatory message hours after skipping the party’s Special National Delegates Conference held today in Nairobi.
In a late-night post on social media, Joho extended his warmest congratulations to the newly ratified ODM leadership led by Party Leader Hon. Oburu Oginga. He specifically mentioned Deputy Party Leaders Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and Simba Arati, National Chairperson Gladys Wanga, and the entire ODM team.
The message, accompanied by several photos from the colorful event showing large crowds, decorated venues, and party leaders in orange regalia, appeared to signal Joho’s acceptance of the new leadership structure despite his absence from the proceedings.
Joho’s decision not to attend the conference in person had raised questions earlier in the day, especially as other Coast leaders were visibly present and actively participating. As a sitting Cabinet Secretary in the broad-based government, his low-profile approach had fueled speculation about his exact position amid the ongoing reorganization in ODM.
Political observers note that Joho’s message strikes a reconciliatory tone at a time when the party has been grappling with internal divisions, particularly following the departure of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna from the Secretary General post and parallel factional activities.
The former Mombasa Governor remains one of the most influential voices from the Coast region. His endorsement of the Oburu-led team is likely to calm nerves among supporters who feared a deeper split along regional or generational lines.
With the 2027 general election drawing closer, Joho’s night message is being interpreted as a strategic move to maintain relevance within ODM while balancing his current role in government. Analysts will be watching closely to see whether he takes a more active role in party affairs in the coming weeks.