Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Leader Raila Odinga cautioned Coast leaders on Sunday, March 31, after they endorsed former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho as the next party leader. Speaking in Malindi, Kilifi County, Raila expressed concern that regional endorsements were posing a threat to the unity of the party.
Raila emphasized the importance of having unity within the party and warned against endorsing candidates solely based on their region. He highlighted that such actions could lead to the party cracking and eventually disintegrating.
During the event in Malindi, Raila challenged leaders from Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa Counties to provide justifications for endorsing Hassan Joho as the party leader. He reiterated that when the time comes for him to step down, ODM will democratically select a suitable candidate.
Raila assured that every leader would have a fair chance to present their case, emphasizing ODM’s democratic values in East and Central Africa. He was accompanied by governors Abdulswamad Nassir and Gideon Mung’aro, among other prominent leaders from the region.
Notably, Raila Odinga mentioned that if he wins the African Union Commission chairmanship in February 2025, he will step down as the ODM party leader. Other leaders eyeing the party leadership position include ODM Chairman John Mbadi and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.