I do clean business! Joho speaks on drug trafficking claims
By Farhiya Hussein |
He referred to an earlier parliamentary report that, following a multi-agency, international investigation, found no evidence against him.
Former Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho faced tough questions during his parliamentary vetting for the position of Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs.
The scrutiny intensified when Teso South MP Mary Emaase raised historical allegations linking Joho to drug trafficking.
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Emaase referred to a 2010 parliamentary report by the late Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, which listed Joho among four MPs suspected of drug trafficking. In addition, Emaase cited a United Nations Assembly statement that suggested Joho was under suspicion by the Kenya Anti-Narcotics Agency.
“In 2010, the then Internal Security Minister, the late George Saitoti, tabled a list in Parliament containing four members of parliament, including yourself as a suspected drug trafficker.
The UN Assembly also stated that the Kenya Anti-Narcotics Committee suspected that you were involved in the narcotics trade.
Are you aware of these allegations and issues of drug addiction in our country?”
Addressing the accusations, Joho firmly rejected the allegations. “This is a matter I want to put to rest permanently,” he declared.
He referred to an earlier parliamentary report that, following a multi-agency, international investigation, found no evidence against him.
Joho argued that they thoroughly investigated and disproved the initial allegations.
"The late Saitoti returned to Parliament and presented a report detailing the results of a multiagency, nearly international investigation, which unequivocally revealed the existence of evidence against me. I am not a fool,” he said.
He defended his business integrity, saying, “I come from a family that is blessed with business, and I am thankful to God for what I have. That investigation was concluded.”
He noted that during his first term as governor, he was a vocal critic of the Jubilee administration, which, he suggested, would have seized any opportunity to expose illegal activities if they existed.
“If I were involved in any illegal activities, I would not have survived that regime,” he asserted.
The former governor emphasised his commitment to transparent and legal business practices. He urged the committee to review the updated findings of the investigations that cleared him of the allegations. He assured, "I conduct clean business that is visible and auditable."
"I want to assure you today that I conduct clean business that is visible, auditable, and physically visible. Therefore, if anyone discusses a report that was placed on the desk, they should also discuss the subsequent report, as it has cleared us. The first thing I need to do is call and try to encourage investors to come. I am planning to travel to the United States, a country known for its significant mining investments, with the intention of engaging with them. I intend to continue to travel to America to encourage investors to come and invest, particularly in the mining industry. I hope that the matter comes to permanent closure. Like education, it only comes up when they see an opportunity,” he said.
Joho hopes his efforts will contribute to the sector’s growth.
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