Joho responds to Gachagua's claims on Cabinet Secretaries getting speeches from Itumbi
He emphasized that no one has ever written his speeches or influenced his work outside the official government procedures.
Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Ali Hassan Joho, has addressed claims made by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua regarding Cabinet secretaries receiving speech scripts from Dennis Itumbi.
In an interview aired on Radio 47 on Thursday, April 10, Joho dismissed the allegations, emphasizing that he has never relied on anyone to manage his ministerial duties.
He stated that he independently oversees his docket without external influence.
"I’ve never had someone tell me what to say. Let me speak for myself; who would even write things for me? Am I not a cabinet secretary? I have been given the job, so I will do it. Who else should I go looking for? I am the head of the ministry; I have principal secretaries and staff. We work together as a team," he said.
Joho clarified that he only engages with President William Ruto when it's essential and has never been directed to act in a way that contradicts the responsibilities of his ministry.
"So I have never had to ask anyone else for instructions, except sometimes the president. Sometimes, the deputy president and other government officials consult with my team at the ministry. No one else has come to tell me what to do that goes against the rules," he added.
He emphasized that no one has ever written his speeches or influenced his work outside the official government procedures.
"When we have Cabinet meetings, I talk to my fellow Cabinet members. I send in my agenda for the ministry, then it’s shared, and others give their thoughts and ideas on it. So for someone to tell me what to do as if I am a junior CS is not right," he added
Joho’s remarks follow Deputy President Gachagua’s April 7 appearance on KTN, during which he alleged that Farouk Kibet and Dennis Itumbi wield significant influence within the government.
Gachagua specifically called out Dennis Itumbi, labeling him as the president’s top propagandist and accusing him of having a key hand in shaping presidential communication and decisions.