On August 4, 2024, Ali Hassan Joho, who has been nominated for the position of Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, appeared before the Committee on Appointments.
His nomination comes at a time when old allegations linking him to drug trafficking have resurfaced. Joho took this opportunity to refute these claims and clarify his position.
Joho addressed the committee with strong remarks against the 2013 Saitoti dossier, which has been cited in the ongoing allegations.
He argued that the dossier, originally presented by the late Professor George Saitoti, the then Minister of Internal Security, was selectively used and lacked concrete evidence against him.
Cabinet Secretary nominee for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Ali Hassan Joho during vetting on Sunday, August 4. Parliament of KenyaJoho pointed out that during his 2013 campaign for governor, his opponents made numerous accusations and even put up billboards warning voters about him.
Despite these efforts to tarnish his reputation, Joho maintains that no credible evidence was found to support the allegations.
“The irony is that when people want to bring up old records, they only focus on the parts that suit their agenda,” Joho said during the vetting process.
He highlighted that the dossier, which came from the American Embassy, was part of a broader investigation that did not find any evidence linking him to illegal activities. Joho emphasized that the investigation was thorough and involved multiple agencies working together.
Joho also recounted the intense scrutiny he faced throughout his political career, especially during his time as the Governor of Mombasa. He recalled that his opponents used every possible angle to discredit him, including personal and professional attacks.
Despite these challenges, Joho asserts that if he had been involved in any illegal activities, his opponents would have exposed this information during the politically charged times he faced.
The nominee shared his perspective on the difficulties he encountered while criticizing the Jubilee government.
He pointed out that he faced significant resistance from various fronts, including attacks on his businesses and personal life.
Joho believes that if there had been any substance to the drug allegations, the previous regime would have exploited it to undermine him.
Joho’s response also touched on his business practices. He stressed that he is involved in legitimate businesses that are transparent and subject to audits.
He challenged his critics to not only discuss the allegations but also to address the outcomes of the investigations that cleared him of any wrongdoing.
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