Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary-nominee Hassan Joho yesterday fought off alleged links to drug trafficking and claims that his education credentials are questionable.

Joho also faced questions about his flashy lifestyle and fondness for the fine things in life and decisions he made during his tenure as Mombasa governor, including the construction of KSh1.8 billion stadium.

Another issue that came up when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments was his family’s demand for Sh1.1 billion from the State over losses related to their port businesses.

Joho, who said his net worth is Sh 2.3 billion, was compelled to assert that he has valid academic documents, and that he is studying for a master’s degree at Harvard University.

74 memorandums

On his relationship with President William Ruto, he said he is ready to work with him and push for changes that he has been yearning for.

He said: “Wapumbavu tu ndio hawabadilishi mawazo (only fools do not change their mind). This in fact is a clarion call to serve the country. I have been a great critic of this government. Now an opportunity has been availed to me to come and create that difference that I have been talking about. This is exactly what I will do.”

His sentiments came on the day Speaker Moses Wetang’ula disclosed that the committee, which he chairs, had received dozens of memorandums against Joho.

He said: “We have received 74 memorandum against you.”

On drug trafficking allegations, Joho told lawmakers that this matter was investigated and concluded.

’Blessed with businesses’

He said the late internal security minister George Saitoti, who had tabled a report in Parliament linking Joho to the trafficking of illegal drugs, later presented another report clearing him and others mentioned alongside him of the allegations.

He said: “The irony for me is that … an individual wants to pick records selectively. If you come and table a report, obviously actions must be taken. This is a matter I want to put to rest.

“When I was campaigning in 2013, we had posters mounted saying don’t vote for the baron, vote the change. Yes, Saitoti tabled a report on a dossier that was passed through the American embassy.

“The same Saitoti came up to Parliament with a report on the same investigations with an outcome that stated no iota of evidence was found against me.”

He added: “I am not a fool. I come from a family that is blessed with businesses. I’m thankful to the almighty for what I have. First, the investigations were concluded, and number two during my first term as governor, I was the greatest critic of the jubilee administration.

“I had an altercation with them. Do you think if I was in illegal business I would have survived that regime I remember one time when the President came to Mombasa and said he would deal with me.

“I want to assure you that I do clean business that can be audited and anyone can get the records. Anybody who talks about this report, let him also talk about that other report that cleared me.

“If I am approved, I’m planning to go to the US to market the mining docket. The same US that came up with this report is the same US that gave me a visa to accompany the Speaker to the US when he was a minister. This matter, again, I hope it comes to a close.”

Two degrees

In his submissions to the committee, although he admitted that he scored a D-minus in his KCSE exam, he quickly explained that years later he was able to acquire two degrees after first venturing into business to earn money so that he could pay for his education.

He said: “It is almost normal for people to cast doubt on people from the coastal region. Ask Mishi (MP Likoni) and Owen Baya (Kilifi North). But I want to say we are also qualified.

“As for me, I draw my inspiration from renowned scholar professor Ali Mazrui, who did not succeed in his Cambridge exam to be admitted [to] university to get his degree, but he succeeded.

“Do not ever imagine that there is no hope based on your previous suffering. We could turn this around. I actually turned it around. When I found an opportunity, I grabbed it and I did it.

“Yes, I did not do well in my secondary school. I got a D-minus, but I turned it around. Today, I am on the pathway to attain a master’s degree from one of the most prestigious universities, Harvard University.

On the KSh1 billion port issue, he clarified that his family has never done any business with the government and that the monetary figure in contention is Sh200 million.