Joho Resurfaces Again, Explains Missing Azimio Protests
However, he reiterated his support for Azimio leader Raila Odinga when questioned on his relationship...
Marvin Chege 
Former Mombasa Governor, Hassan Joho resurfaced on Friday, April 21, explaining why he was missing in action during the Azimio la Umoja weekly demonstrations in March 2023.
Joho, who has been absent from numerous political activities since leaving office after the August 9, 2022, general elections, explained that he had been away owing to health reasons.
However, he reiterated his support for Azimio leader Raila Odinga when questioned on his relationship, even though he has been missing in action in several Azimio activities.
“I have been unwell, I have gone through some surgery, and I am recovering. That is the only reason why you haven’t seen me where you are supposed to see me.
Hassan Joho with Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Shariff Nassir while presenting over 1,000 Title Deeds to the residents of Mrima, Msufini, Maweni, Mathare and BwagaBwaga on September 3, 2022. /FACEBOOK.HASSAN JOHO
"Raila is like me and I am like Raila. I want it to be known that I subscribe fully to the ideology of Azimio la Umoja and that of Raila Amolo Odinga,” said Joho.
The former county boss however expressed that he has been keenly following the Azimio protests and wished he could join them, but his health care was a priority.
“When I was undergoing treatment I saw the Azimio demos on TV and I felt bad why I did not participate,” Joho added.
The Raila Odinga diehard at the same time called out the Kenya Kwanza government for playing politics around serious issues, such as the cost of living.
“People sometimes don’t understand the conversation, there are people who see it’s easy and they politicize everything day in and day out and the common citizens are broke. There are fundamental issues that must be addressed,” Joho remarked.
He told Mombasa residents to prepare for more vigorous street protests soon.
Joho on Tuesday, February 7 met Raila and Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohamed who had appeared in public for the first time since the August elections.
Speculations were rife regarding the fond absence of Joho and Junet, who were even missing from the anti-President William Ruto rallies that were being spearheaded by Azimio dubbed people's consultative forums.
The ODM party stated that the purpose of their lunch meeting at a Nairobi hotel in the afternoon touched on the ongoing rallies, among the party matters placed as a priority by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Joho's resurfacing comes as Azimio supporters await further direction from Raila Odinga regarding the resumption of nationwide mass demonstrations after Ramadhan.
"Do we agree that mass action and negotiations should go hand in hand? Immediately after the Ramadhan, I will announce when the countrywide mass actions will return," Raila assured.
