Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho now says that he only wants to inherit Raila Odinga's political ideology, consistency, courage and political might.
Speaking in Wajir on Thursday, Joho who was responding to people invested in the Raila succession politics said the former Prime minister has taught him a lot through the years he has been a politician.
He added that he also wants to inherit Raila's sense of direction in terms of leadership.
"Watu wamezungumza mambo ya kurithi Raila Odinga. Ile mimi nataka kusema kama Hassan Joho ile kitu narithi kwa Raila ni ile ideology ambayo amenifundisha kwa miaka yangu ya siasa, mawazo, mienendo, muelekeo na uthabithi, ujasiri na usimba wa siasa," Joho said.
This loosely translates to, "People have talked about succeeding Raila Odinga. What I want to say as Hassan Joho, the thing I inherit from Raila is the ideology that he has taught me through my years of politics, thoughts, movements, direction and consistency, courage and political might."
His remarks come against the backdrop of debates on who will lead the Opposition party, should he bag the African Union Commission chairmanship.
A holder of the position must remain neutral at all times, which means he will have to quit local politics, including belonging to a political party.
AU Commission chair elections are set for February 2024.
Joho further noted that if anything, Kenyans should know that the Azimio leader is only going to work in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but will remain a life member of the party.
"Watu wajue Baba (Raila) hakuna mahali anaenda. Anaenda Addis Ababa. Huyu ndiye life member number one na atabaki kuwa katika chama cha ODM."
The former governor insisted that the next government would be formed by the ODM party.
He added that it will be led by either Raila Odinga or himself as President.
"The government coming in 2027 belongs to ODM and there are two things. If not Raila Odinga it is Hassan Joho. The person I can leave without question is Raila, but the others like my brother Oparanya, we will fight inhouse and then we will decide," Joho said.
The ODM party is in Wajir for a member recruitment drive exercise that is spearheaded by Raila.
