Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Ali Hassan Joho has been compelled to explain how he will work with President William Ruto after being his longtime critic.
While appearing before the vetting the Committee, on Sunday, August 4, Joho said the times are different and he has been nominated to serve the country, which is the aim of every leader.
He mentioned that he accepted the position in order to provide the alternative ideas that he has been talking about while in the opposition.
“This is a call to serve the country, I have been a great of this government. Now I have been given an opportunity has been availed to me to come and great that difference that I have been talking about all this time. That is exactly what I am going to do, bring new energy, new ideology and thinking because after all, all of us are serving one nation,” he said.
Joho was asked state how he will cooperate with the president having publicly admitted that he cannot hold any discussions with him during a past political rally.
Samburu West MP Lesuuda Naisula who is a member of the Committee noted that Joho thanked the President for nominating him during his preamble allowing him to appear before the committee.
Naisula asked how Joho will engage the president and fit in the Kenya Kwanza government after publicly declaring that he cannot have anything to do with Ruto.
“You are in public having said and I quote ‘I don’t ever dream of engaging with Ruto. Mimi niongee na Ruto, tunasema nini’. I want to put it to you that is this Committee nominates you and the National Assembly approves you, you will be sitting in a cabinet where the president will be chairing. I would like to know what you will talk about. That’s a valid question because it will be important to know how you will engage with the President as the CS,” she asked.
Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula had stopped the CS nominee from answering the question arguing that reasonable individuals normally change their minds and make different decisions. Wetangula asked Joho to skip the and answer the other ones.
“You don’t have to answer that question, only fools don’t change their minds. Go and answer other questions,” Wetangula said.
Joho also emphasized that stating that translating to Kiswahili saying, “I was going to say it in Kiwashili, wapumbavu tu ndiyo hawabadilishi mawazo,” Joho said.
Working with Ruto to Unite Kenyans
Joho explained that he will not engage in local politics and instead work with the president to unite the country starting with Mombasa County
“I now serve the nation and I will make efforts to unite even those who are in Mombasa. I must help the President unite the country and therefore I must rise above local and divisive conversations,” he said.
He said he will serve all Kenyans equally and bring together citizens and leaders from across board.
“So, if there is anything I am going is actually endeavored to unite Kenyans and even leaders. Politicians have their space, and they can talk but if I am approved, I am going to serve the nation and I want to assure this house that I will do anything to see a Kenya that is united,” he said.
Also Read: Hassan Joho Clears the Air on His Education Qualification
Joho Education
Joho also issued a clarification regarding his educational background during the vetting session. He stated that the question about his education comes up every time there is an opportunity for him.
He admitted that he got a D- in his high school national exams but this did not stop him from furthering his education,
“I did not do well in my secondary school, I got a D- no doubt, but I turned that around. today I hold two degrees, and I am on my pathway to attain a master’s degree from the most prestigious university in the world, and that is achieved by determination.
Also Read: Ali Hassan Joho: From Garbage Collector to Coastal Kingpin
Joho revealed that he in fact has several degrees which he acquired after becoming successful in business. He explained that he embarked on a journey to acquire his first degree back in 2006,
“I did my bridging course, a diploma in 2007 and graduated from Kampala university in 2013.I did another degree from Gretsa University in Thika and after, I enrolled in Havard Kennedy University for a Public Leadership credential program to attain a degree in public administration,” he stated.
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