Blogger Cyprian Nyakundi had accused former Mombasa and Mining, Blue economy and Maritime Affairs CS nominee Governor Ali Hassan Joho of malice.
In an update on X on Sunday, the blogger shared an interaction he had with Joho over an article he did accusing the former Governor of corruption. READ FULL STORY
Nyakundi claims that in 2016, he wrote an article on his website about a company affiliated with Joho that was engaging in corruption.
Joho who was then serving his first term as the Governor of Mombasa reportedly had Nyakundi arrested by Flying Squad officers.
The blogger was kidnapped and detained for hours before Joho reportedly left Mombasa for Nairobi where he personally met Nyakundi.
“He sent 10 flying squad officers who arrested me and put me a car boot for around. 7 hours , I was detained for 10 days.
“Then on the 11th day, Joho took a flight from Mombasa came to Nairobi in the room I was in and demanded I give him my sources I refused and told him over my dead body,” he shared.
Nyakundi said that when he remained mum about his sources, Joho threatened to have him jailed.
“He told me he could ensure I am jailed. So when Joho says he does clean business I wonder,” he added.
In 2016, I did an article on how Joho was looting millions through a company called Njuca consolidated.
He sent 10 flying squad officers who arrested me and put me a car boot for around. 7 hours , I was detained for 10 days.
Then on the 11th day, Joho took a flight from…
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) August 4, 2024
This comes even as Joho distances himself from claims that he is a drug trafficker.
During his vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments for a cabinet position, Joho faced tough questions regarding past allegations that have dogged his career.
The People’s Movement for Human Rights, led by its director Karanja Murai, submitted a memorandum to Parliament contesting Joho’s nomination as a Cabinet Secretary based on these allegations.
“I want to assure you that I engage in clean business activities—businesses that are transparent, auditable, and visible. When someone talks about the report, they should have the facts,” Joho said.
In 2010, then-US ambassador Michael Ranneberger announced travel sanctions on several Kenyan politicians suspected of drug trafficking, including former MPs Harun Mwau, Gideon Mbuvi, Hassan Joho and William Kabogo.
These individuals were named in a US drugs probe, and the Kenyan government confirmed receiving this information from the US embassy after the late Internal Security Minister George Saitoti tabled the list in Parliament.
However, Joho refuted these claims during the vetting, explaining that he was exonerated after thorough investigations.
“Saitoti tabled a report based on information passed to him through the American Embassy. The dossier was investigated, and Saitoti later returned to Parliament with a report that found no evidence against me
“I’m not a fool; I come from a family blessed with businesses, and I thank God for what I have. That investigation was concluded,” he said.
