Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee for Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Hassan Joho has given a detailed explanation on how he managed to acquire his two university degrees.
Joho on his education approach
Speaking when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments on Sunday, August 4, 2024, Joho told the MPs that after finishing his secondary education, he started working first by venturing into business, and resumed his studies later.
“I have a bit different approach of how I want to my introduction because I started work and then further education came later. After I finished secondary school, I ventured into business,” Joho stated.
Hassan Joho: Mr. Speaker, I have a different approach. I started work and then further education came later. After I finished secondary school, I ventured into business.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/PAHkwZ3vtd
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 4, 2024
The former Mombasa Governor told the Moses Wetang’ula-led Committee that he drew his inspiration from Prof Ali Mazrui, a renowned Kenyan-born American academic professor and political writer, whom Joho says did not qualify for a direct university entry, but managed to turn things around.
Joho on his determination
Joho stated that despite scoring a D – (minus) in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) which he sat for at Serani Secondary School in Mombasa, he managed to do a bridging course in the year 2006, which enabled him to enroll for a diploma course in 2007.
Hassan Ali Joho: I got a D- in my secondary education but I turned that around. I hold two degrees currently and am on my way to attaining a master’s Degree from the most prestigious university in the world and that is achieved by determination#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/KdLdQeiqNe
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 4, 2024
He noted that after acquiring his Diploma, he was able to enroll for a degree course at Kampala International University, and graduated in the year 2013.
Joho says he then enrolled for his second degree at Gretsa University in Thika, Kiambu County. He graduated from Gretsa University in December 2016 with a degree in Commerce.
The former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader assured the MPs that he has what it takes to steer the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs ministry.
“I have a lot of experience in matters governance and transformational always of doing business in government. The record speaks for itself,” Joho stated.
Hassan Ali Joho: I am the pioneer Governor of Mombasa and was an MP before that. I drew a lot of experience in matters of governance. The record speaks for itself. #K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/4jNRp8UnZ9
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 4, 2024
Joho’s education journey
In 2017, Joho was forced to explain his educational background after it was challenged in court.
In an affidavit dated May 25, 2017, Joho said he enrolled for a pre-university course at Kampala University that allowed him to take a certificate course after attaining a mean grade of D- (minus) in the KCSE of 1993.
In 2008, he pursued and obtained a certificate course in business administration, paving the way for him to enroll for a diploma course in human resource management in the same university in 2009.
Joho was nominated as CS by President William Ruto in the last batch of his Cabinet which was announced on July 24, 2024.
Upon his nomination, Joho says he took time to do some research in the docket he had been nominated to.
Hassan Ali Joho: After I was nominated by the President, I did a little research. The Mining industry contributes slightly under 1% of our GDP. We have to find ways to generate confidence in investors and the Kenyan people. I want to be a CS who listens.#K24Siasa pic.twitter.com/2fXJTYZlhG
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) August 4, 2024
