Hassan Joho, Kenya’s Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary has declared full-throated support for President Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
While speaking at a public event in Mombasa on 7th January 2025, the former Governor of Mombasa revealed that coastal leaders have agreed to back President Ruto for two consecutive terms.
“As coastal leaders, we have agreed to back President Ruto for two consecutive terms without a break. Ruto deserves two-terms, ‘mbili bila break’- Joho said.
Adressing a cheering crowd, Joho’s statement in swahili slang underscored his call for undivided loyalty to President Ruto. Joho’s unlikely endorsement of Ruto’s re-election comes amid current lingering rumours about division within ODM’S leadership.
Following his unexpected support for President Ruto, critics have accused of being a mere opportunist, with some party loyals even labeling him a betrayer of the opposition agenda, while some supporters praise his move as strategic, especially because his influence in mobilizing coastal votes.
The ‘mbili bila break’ phrase has so far spread across social media platforms, sparking debate over Joho’s shift from longtime opposition figure to a supporter of Ruto’s broad-based administration.
As a long-time and prominent member of the Orengo Democratic Movement, Joho has in the recent past positioned himself as a bridge between the Coast and Ruto’s administration. His statement echo his earlier stance in 2025, when he hinted support for Ruto through 2032 while eyeing his own presidential bid afterward.
Some political commentators view Joho’s timely support for Ruto’s administration as a pragmatic stance seeking to create a political alliance in order to secure development for his coastal region.
Joho’s statement highlights a current initiative seeking to foster Valley-Coast collaboration. As such, his unexpected support for President Ruto’s administration signals impeding political coalition as Kenya moves closer to 2027 elections.
