Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, sometimes called ODM superman, has said he cannot be bought by Jubilee.
“I am on another level. Do not compare me with people who can be easily swayed with small amounts of money,” he said in a radio interview yesterday.
The governor said he is too expensive to be tempted by Jubilee Party’s goodies.
He said Allah has blessed him so much that he is not willing to sell his freedom in exchange for loyalty to President Uhuru Kenyatta. “I live a comfortable life and I have everything I wished for when I was growing up. I need nothing more,” Joho said.
He said people should not compare him with defectors who ditched ODM for Jubilee Party after receiving “small gifts and promises of development”.
On Saturday, during the launch of Jubilee Party, at least 10 Coast leaders announced their defection, including Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and his Lamu counterpart Issa Timamy.
Joho urged people to stop being fooled with promises of development, as every citizen has that right as stipulated in the Constitution.
He said that the Constitution clearly outlines the co-existence between counties and the national government, which has little to do with political affiliations.
He said his duty is to work towards development, not belong in the same party as the President.
Joho urged Deputy President William Ruto to “stop dreaming” about taking over Statehouse in 2022.
The Muslim community will back him for President in 2022. Suna East MP Junet Mohamed said, “Joho is the undisputed Muslim leader and has shown the leadership, determination and courage to snatch the most coveted seat away from Jubilee.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta has already assured the DP of his support in his 2022 bid for President.
And to secure the seat Uhuru and Ruto have already declared that JP, unveiled at the weekend, is their 2017 reelectio vehicle.
Analysts say Joho is beginning to be the ‘superman’ of ODM.
“Opposition leader Raila Odinga will take over next year. In 2022, I will be taking over,” the Mombasa governor said.
Joho said he will be part of Raila’s presidential campaign.
He has told Jubilee to stop imagining they can win Coast voters. The governor said Coast people are firmly in ODM and no amount of persuasion and bribery by the Jubilee brigade will break their resolve.
