Former Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has issued a blunt warning to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying the Coast region may be forced to chart a new political course if the party is not handed over to former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.
Speaking from a regional perspective, Jumwa argued that ODM’s future at the Coast hinges on acknowledging Joho’s leadership and political capital. She suggested that continued sidelining of Coast leadership would leave the region with no option but to explore alternative political pathways.
“If ODM Party is not given to Joho, we as Coast we have to champion another political pathway,” Jumwa said.
Her remarks point to simmering frustration among some Coast politicians who feel the region has historically supported ODM without receiving commensurate influence in the party’s top decision-making structures.
Jumwa framed the issue not as an individual ambition but as a broader regional demand for recognition, representation, and respect within ODM. According to her, Joho embodies the Coast’s political aspirations and has the stature to anchor the party’s presence in the region.
The statement adds to ongoing internal debates within ODM over succession, regional balance, and the party’s future direction, particularly in the post–Raila Odinga era.
Jumwa’s comments signal that Coast leaders may be willing to rethink long-standing political loyalties if their concerns are not addressed, a move that could have significant implications for ODM’s national coalition and electoral strength going forward.
