Mixed reactions over Joho's nomination to Cabinet

Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto's decision to nominate former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho as Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary has been received with scepticism and support in equal measure at the Coast.

The Head of State nominated Joho to replace former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, who will lead the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry if he sails through vetting in the National Assembly.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir said Wednesday that President Ruto has finally recognised Joho's dedication, leadership, and vision. 

But critics claimed that the former governor lobbied for the post to secure his family's business interests.

“I extend our heartfelt congratulations to Hassan Joho on your nomination as Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy in the government of Kenya. Your dedication, leadership, and vision have been recognised, and we have no doubt that you will excel in your new role upon your confirmation by the National Assembly,” said Nassir.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro was optimistic that Joho will serve with dedication for the people of Kenya.

The former governor's name featured prominently on social media as a candidate for the Cabinet after the rapprochement between Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. Joho was keen to replace Raila as the ODM leader.

Since Ruto dismissed the Cabinet, Nassir has campaigned for his predecessor’s appointment to Cabinet, saying he wished to see the face of Mombasa in government. The President did not appoint anyone from Mombasa in his first Cabinet. 

The development has come as a relief for the former governor, who has seemingly been jostling to be close to power following a myriad of challenges after he left office in 2022.

His family business has come under threat following the cancellation of leases and contracts worth billions of shillings linked to the port of Mombasa.

Signs that Joho was angling to return to power were evident last year when he appeared at a Coast leaders meeting in Nairobi to discuss the region's unity.

After months of silence and a court battle with the government to secure his businesses, the former governor offered to lead the unity talks after the meeting attended by Coast governors and then Cabinet Secretaries Mvurya and Aisha Jumwa in Nairobi.

His business appeared to suffer following his sharp criticism of President Ruto’s camp in the run-up to the 2022 elections.

Joho's appearance at a press briefing addressed by President Ruto and Raila was the latest pointer to his determination to rise to power.

Yesterday, Pwani University don Prof Halim Shauri said Joho lobbied to be in government because of his business interests although the new faces of Cabinet nominees do not address the question of governance.

“The conflict between the government and Gen Z was governance, but this challenge has not been addressed. Nominees have been recycled and reused. Mvurya has already been in Cabinet, and Joho served as governor, and there is nothing new,” he argued.

Political analyst Hassan Mwakimako argued that President Ruto may have settled on Joho and Mvurya with a focus on 2027 General Election, as this will likely help him win votes in the Coast region dominated by ODM for years.

He said for Joho, who is ODM deputy party leader, the nomination to Cabinet may save his businesses from facing heat from the government.

“Joho is an ODM nominee. But this will likely help his businesses that have suffered when he was in opposition. He has been lobbying for it. On the other hand, President Ruto made the nomination to gain political mileage in Coast with a focus on 2027,” said Prof Mwakimako.

A Mombasa opposition politician, Beatrice Gambo, took issue with ODM for claiming that the party was not ready to join the government, and President Ruto nominated most of its topmost leaders to join the Cabinet.

“The nomination of top ODM leaders to join Cabinet took us by surprise, and we are seeking clarification from ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on this development. President has confirmed there was consultation with political parties,” she said.

Gambo was referring to the nomination to Cabinet of ODM chairman John Mbadi, deputy party leaders Wycliffe Oparanya and Joho and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.

Sifuna had said in a statement that those who join the government will do so in their individual capacity and ODM was not in talks with Ruto administration.