NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, Ali Hassan Joho, has found himself in the eye of a social media storm.
Once an outspoken critic of President William Ruto, Joho has now transformed into one of his most vocal allies, a shift that has not gone unnoticed by Kenyans online.
With the hashtag #WhenJohoWasPatriotic trending on X (formerly Twitter), netizens are resurfacing videos of Joho’s opposition days, reigniting debates about the fluid nature of Kenyan politics.
As a former deputy leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Joho once called President Ruto “Kenya’s most corrupt leader.” Fast forward to his current role in Ruto’s government, and the narrative has shifted dramatically.
Joho’s support for the president became particularly evident during a fiery speech in Taita Taveta, where he warned critics of Ruto’s administration to brace for retaliation.
“They should not think they are the only ones with a mouth,” Joho declared. “If they poke us, we will respond affirmatively.”
This bold statement spurred a wave of online backlash, with netizens sending messages directly to Joho, some laced with threats. The digital uproar brought past videos of Joho’s scathing critiques of Ruto back into the limelight.
Despite the trolling, Joho remains unapologetic, doubling down on his support for President Ruto and his government’s initiatives.
“They say Kenya is collapsing. It’s you who is collapsing. The country is developing. Let’s be patriotic; we don’t have two countries,” Joho remarked during a follow-up address.
The former Mombasa Governor’s remarks have further polarized Kenyans, with some questioning the motivations behind his political transformation.
President Ruto, who previously described his first two years in office as a lonely journey, seems to welcome Joho’s newfound allegiance.
Amid increasing criticism over unmet campaign promises, Ruto is leaning on new allies like Joho to bolster his administration’s narrative.
