The Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga has been urged to ‘protect’ Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho from a possible resistance from party conservatives following his steady rise in recent months.
Joho has been in the frontline leading the campaigns of the party even in the absentia of the former Prime Minister who is away in Germany.
But Nyamira Assembly Chief Whip Peter Maroro has given a precaution saying Joho’s rise may meet resistance from conservatives, especially from the former Nyanza province.
“I understand that ODM is a national party and that is a fact but is has been associated with Nyanza province given one of the founders; Raila Odinga comes from the region and hence we have people who maintain that the party belongs to them,” he said.
“Raila should work hard to ensure Joho doesn’t meet any resistance from the said conservatives especially those from Nyanza region. He is doing a good job and as a party, we should stand by him all times,” he said.
Maroro said many party members may associate Joho’s work with succession politics should Raila retire in 2022.
“We know Mzee (Raila) is going for the presidency but even if he wins, he has little chances of defending his seat in 2022. Many people may mistake Joho’s voluntary work with succession politics of 2022 and that could simmer another rebellion within the party,” he added.