Monday, August 5, 2024 – President William Ruto’s Cabinet Secretary nominee for the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Hassan Joho, has categorically refuted longstanding allegations linking him to drug trafficking.
Speaking during his vetting by
Parliament, Joho criticized the selective use of the 2013 Saitoti dossier,
which he argues lacks evidence implicating him.
"On the drug baron issue, the irony for me is when you want to pick records selectively.
"That is what
challenges me. When I was campaigning in 2013, there were billboards put up
saying 'don't vote the baron, vote change'," Joho stated.
He referred to the
dossier presented by the late George Saitoti, then Minister of Internal
Security, which originated from the American Embassy.
Recounting his political
journey, Joho highlighted the intense scrutiny he faced, particularly during
his tenure as governor in 2013.
"I am not a fool. I come
from a family that is blessed with businesses, and I am thankful for what I
have," he remarked.
Joho pointed out that as a
prominent critic of the Jubilee government, he endured various personal and
professional attacks.
"I had personal altercations; they came after me in businesses and on many fronts.
"Don't you think for a minute, if I was involved in any illegal activity, I would have survived that regime?
"They would have quickly used it against me," he
claimed.
The nominee asserted
his commitment to lawful business practices.
"I want to assure Kenyans
that I do clean businesses, that are visible, and can be audited. If someone
wants to talk about the dossier that was tabled, also talk about the outcome of
the investigations," he stated.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
0 Comments