Justin Muturi Denies Links to Mt Kenya Political Formation, Dismisses Rumours

On December 2, 2024, Ali Hassan Joho, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, sparked controversy after he publicly condemned Kenyans who frequently criticize the Kenya Kwanza government on social media. 

Speaking at a rally in Taita Taveta, Joho suggested that some of these critics relied on free Wi-Fi provided by the government to voice their dissent.

 His remarks ignited a wave of backlash from Kenyans online, with many questioning his comments and calling for a boycott of his businesses.

Joho, however, was unfazed by the criticism. On December 3, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the DEVKI Iron Processing Project in Manga, Taita Taveta, Joho responded fiercely. 

He expressed frustration over the criticism, asserting that it was unpatriotic to constantly attack the government without offering solutions. 

"Your work is sitting on the internet, lacking patriotism. I am an expert from ODM," he declared, referring to his extensive experience in political leadership.

Joho also used the opportunity to defend Raila Odinga's bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, which had become a point of contention for some Kenyans. 

Many had predicted Odinga’s failure in the bid, but Joho criticized them for being unsupportive of their own. 

He questioned why some Kenyans would wish for one of their own to fail in an international race for leadership, calling it a sign of disloyalty to the country.

His remarks, however, did not sit well with everyone. Social media users continued to criticize Joho’s stance, accusing him of stifling free speech and dismissing valid concerns about the government's actions. 

Some even suggested that his remarks were a direct attack on freedom of expression in the country, urging others to speak out against his views.

Despite the backlash, Joho remained firm in his defense of the government and his position on patriotism. 

He reiterated that Kenya could not progress if its citizens continued to focus on negative online discussions instead of contributing positively to the country’s development. 

He concluded by saying, “We will come for you,” signaling his determination to stand firm against the criticism.

Joho’s statements have sparked a broader debate about the limits of free speech and the responsibility of government officials to respond to criticism.