‘I do clean business’ – Mining CS nominee Joho denies suspected drug trafficking claims

Hassan Ali Joho, the Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee has denied claims of suspected drug trafficking that have been previously levelled against him.

Joho on investigation against him

Speaking on Sunday, August 4, 2024, when he appeared before National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula-led Parliamentary Committee on Appointments, Joho said a multi-agency team investigated the claims and that there is no evidence that was found against him.

“The irony for me is that you want to pick the records selectively. If you come and table a report, obviously there must be subsequent actions. This is a matter that I really hope that we can put to a permanent closure. When I was campaigning in 2013 in Mombasa, there were billboards that were put up, “don’t vote the baron”.

“The late George Saitoti tabled a report in parliament on the dossier that had been given to him by the American Embassy. It was investigated, Saitoti came back to parliament with a report of the investigation and the outcome, and it was a multi-agency, almost an international investigation that clearly stated that no iota of evidence was found against me,” Joho stated.

Joho on his businesses

Joho told the MPs that he comes from a family that is blessed with businesses, and that he is thankful to God for what he has.

He noted that he was a great critic of the Jubilee administration during his first term as Mombasa governor, and should any evidence have been found against him, he would not have survived the regime.

He assured the MPs that he only does clean business.

“I am not a fool. I come from a family that is blessed with businesses. That investigation was concluded. During my first term as Mombasa governor, I was a great critic of Jubilee administration. Do you think for a minute, if I was involved in any illegal activity, would I have survived that regime?” Joho posed.

Joho on his education

Joho went ahead to state that issues of drug trafficking and his educational background only come up whenever an opportunity knocks at his door.

During the vetting session, Joho was also forced to explain his educational background.

He 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.

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.