Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has pledged to protect the unity and legacy of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), vowing never to allow divisive politics to destroy what the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga built.
Speaking emotionally during Raila’s burial in Bondo, Siaya County, Joho described the late opposition leader as a father figure, mentor, and political guide who transformed his life and career.
“When nobody knew me or believed in me, Raila did,” Joho said to loud applause from mourners. “He was the one who held my hand from a young man and made me who I am today — from Member of Parliament for Kisauni, to Governor of Mombasa, and now a Cabinet Secretary.”
Joho said he came from a family with no political background, yet Raila saw potential in him and opened doors that shaped his rise in national politics.
“Nobody in my family was a politician — not my father, not my mother. It is Raila who made me who I am today,” he said.
Reaffirming his loyalty, Joho declared that he never betrayed Raila in life and would not do so in death.
“I have never betrayed Raila when he was alive, and I will not in his death. I can never be where Raila never took me. Raila took us to Ruto’s government — that is where I belong,” he said.
The former Mombasa Governor vowed to defend Raila’s legacy and the ODM party from internal divisions, warning that anyone attempting to sow discord would be stopped.
“I will personally drive out anyone who tries to divide the ODM party that Raila built with us. That will not happen under our watch,” Joho stated firmly.
He reiterated that ODM and its supporters would continue working with President William Ruto’s administration under the broad-based government that Raila helped form in 2024.
“Raila left ODM and his supporters in government, and that is where we will stay. We are staying behind President Ruto, and that is where we are going to remain,” he said.
Joho also expressed gratitude to President Ruto for according Raila a dignified state burial — the first ever in Nyanza — saying it reflected respect for Raila’s immense contribution to the nation.
“Thank you, President Ruto, for giving Raila a befitting state burial, a gesture that honours his contribution to Kenya and democracy,” he said.
President Ruto, who attended the funeral, also pledged continued support for ODM despite being the leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), emphasising that Raila’s spirit of unity and cooperation must guide Kenya’s politics going forward.
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