Speaking during a rally in Taita Taveta, Joho criticized Kenyans who use social media to voice their concerns and criticisms of the government.
He accused some of them of using free internet provided by President William Ruto to attack his administration.
Joho said, "There are some people in Nairobi who have smartphones and data. The data may even be the free Wi-Fi provided by Ruto.
All they do is criticize the government. While they talk, we are on the ground working." He further threatened to confront bloggers who criticize the government on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.
He remarked that a country could not be built through the internet and warned that if social media users continued to cause trouble, the government could "bring equal trouble" back.
Joho's comments sparked outrage among many Kenyans. Critics quickly took to social media to express their dissatisfaction.
Some pointed out that it was ironic for Joho, a man who is also active on social media, to criticize it.
They reminded him that social media had played an important role in his political rise, with many citing that without the support of online platforms, he might not have become a Cabinet Secretary.
Some social media users also vowed to boycott businesses owned by Joho.
They shared posts listing his businesses, urging others to do the same in protest of his remarks.
"We are boycotting any business owned by Ali Hassan Joho," one user wrote, highlighting the growing anger over his statements.
Okiya Omtatah, a well-known activist, called Joho’s remarks “unfortunate,” reminding him that social media helped many people in Kenya, including him, to connect with the public and build their political careers.
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