Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has been tapped as the chief negotiator for ODM in the high-stakes power-sharing talks with President William Ruto, a move that solidifies his status as the heir apparent to the party’s coastal command.

The Mining Cabinet Secretary is no longer just a "Sultan" of Mombasa; he is now the bridge between the opposition’s past and its governing future. During the "Linda Ground" rally in Mombasa yesterday, Party Leader Oburu Oginga explicitly designated Joho to lead the team of experts that will formalize ODM’s stake in the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of 2027.

This selection is strategic. Joho, once a fierce critic of Ruto ("I will not just be a governor, I will be President"), has morphed into one of the administration's most effective operators. He speaks the language of the base but walks the corridors of power.

The Negotiation Mandate

The talks are not just about positions; they are about survival. The ODM faction led by Oburu wants to lock in a pre-election coalition deal that guarantees:

• A specific share of Cabinet and Diplomatic slots.
• Protection of the party's historical strongholds (Coast and Nyanza) from UDA encroachment.
• A joint ticket strategy for 2027.

Why Joho?

Joho brings "street credibility" that other potential negotiators lack. "He can sit with Ruto without blinking, but he can also sell the deal to the skeptical youth in Majengo," an insider revealed. His inclusion is also a check against Sifuna’s narrative that the party has been sold cheap.

“Nataka urais ndio, lakini naenda mdogo mdogo” (I want the presidency, yes, but I am going step by step), Joho told the crowd at Tononoka. For now, his step is to ensure ODM doesn’t just get a slice of the cake, but a seat in the bakery.