Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho
has vowed to safeguard the unity and legacy of the Orange Democratic Movement
(ODM) party, saying he will not allow divisive politics to undermine what the
late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga built.
Speaking during Raila’s burial in
Bondo, Siaya County, Joho described the late opposition leader as a father
figure and mentor who transformed his life and shaped his political journey
from obscurity to national leadership.
“When nobody knew me or believed in
me, Raila did,” Joho said emotionally, drawing 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.”
The former Mombasa Governor said
Raila invested his time, trust, and guidance in him when he had no political
background or family connections in politics.
“Nobody in my family was a
politician, not my father or my mother. It is Raila who made me who I am
today,” he said.
"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 to Ruto's government. That is where I belong," Joho said.
Joho pledged to defend Raila’s
political legacy and the ODM party, warning that those seeking to divide the
movement would face resistance.
“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,” he declared.
He reaffirmed ODM’s place within the
current administration, saying the party and its supporters remain committed to
working within the broad-based government formed under President William Ruto.
“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,” Joho said.
The Cabinet Secretary assured the
President of his loyalty and support, adding that the cooperation between ODM
and the government is part of Raila’s vision for national unity and stability.
“I can assure you today, as we give
Raila his final send-off, that I will never betray him, not in life, and not in
his death,” Joho stated firmly.
He also extended his gratitude to
President Ruto for according Raila a state burial, the first of its kind in
Nyanza.
“Thank you, President Ruto, for
giving Raila a befitting state burial, a gesture that honours his contribution
to Kenya and to democracy,” he said.
Joho’s tribute captured the
emotional tone of the day, a mix of grief, gratitude, and renewed commitment to
carry forward Raila Odinga’s ideals of unity, justice, and nationhood.
