The Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Ali Hassan Joho, has come forward to clear the air following Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s controversial remarks.
Gachagua had alleged that some Cabinet Secretaries are being handed speeches written by President Ruto’s close ally, Dennis Itumbi.
During an interview on Radio 47 held on Thursday, April 10, Joho strongly rejected the claims.
He stated that he has never received assistance in running his ministry and emphasized that he carries out his duties independently and professionally.
“I’ve never had anyone instruct me on what to say. I speak for myself,” Joho firmly said. “Why would I need someone to write speeches for me? I am a Cabinet Secretary, and I was appointed to serve.
I’m not going to look around for help when I have the authority to lead my ministry. I work with my principal secretaries and staff — we operate as a coordinated team.”
Joho explained that whenever he needs guidance, he only consults President William Ruto directly. He added that while the Deputy President and other senior officials sometimes work with his ministry, no one has ever given him instructions that contradict his responsibilities.
“I only take direction from the President when needed. Occasionally, the Deputy President and other government leaders consult my team.
But at no point has anyone tried to influence the running of the ministry in a way that goes against protocol,” Joho clarified.
He went on to stress that no one, including Itumbi, has ever written speeches on his behalf or interfered with the formal communication process within his ministry.
“During Cabinet meetings, I present my ministry’s agenda to my fellow Cabinet members. We discuss and give our input.
It’s a collaborative process,” he said. “So, to claim that I’m being told what to do — as though I’m a junior or don’t know my job — is simply not true.”
Joho’s remarks follow a statement made by Deputy President Gachagua on April 7 during an interview on KTN, where Gachagua alleged that Farouk Kibet and Dennis Itumbi are the ones controlling key functions of the government.
Gachagua singled out Dennis Itumbi, describing him as the president’s chief propagandist.
He accused Itumbi of having a heavy hand in the messaging and communication that comes from the presidency, and even from ministries.
“Dennis Itumbi is not an ordinary person in this government. The real power lies with him and Farouk Kibet. Itumbi prepares official statements for ministers, even those involving sensitive matters like political violence,” Gachagua alleged.
He added, “If the president doesn’t like how a meeting is going, Itumbi can just walk in and stop the whole discussion. That’s the kind of authority he has.”
Gachagua maintained that he has continuously raised concerns about questionable operations within the current administration and insisted that more attention needs to be paid to these behind-the-scenes influences.
Joho’s response was seen as a direct effort to distance himself from such claims and reinforce the independence and integrity with which he manages his ministry.
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