Legal Challenge Launched Against Joho's Cabinet Appointment

President William Ruto's choice to include Hassan Joho in his Cabinet has faced legal scrutiny with petitioners aiming to remove the former Mombasa governor from his post.

The Genesis for Human Rights Commission has lodged a petition with the High Court in Nairobi, seeking to nullify Joho's appointment. The petitioners contend that Joho's appointment process violated the Constitution and that his past involvement in alleged economic crimes, drug trafficking, and embezzlement of public funds during his tenure as Mombasa governor renders him unfit for office. In an affidavit supporting the petition, Bamburi resident Caleb Ngwena details the accusations against Joho.

Ngwena asserts that Joho's previous actions make him unsuitable for the Cabinet position, highlighting longstanding allegations of economic crimes, drug trafficking, and misappropriation of public funds. These accusations have cast a shadow over Joho’s political career and prompted scrutiny of the Cabinet vetting process. The Genesis for Human Rights Commission argues that the vetting committee overlooked several memorandums containing evidence of Joho's unsuitability. According to Ngwena, these memorandums, submitted by concerned citizens and organizations, were disregarded.

The petitioners claim that this disregard constitutes a violation of the Constitution and undermines the integrity of the appointment process. Joho succeeded Salim Mvurya on August 9, 2024, and took the oath of office alongside 18 other Cabinet appointees. His appointment to the Mining and Blue Economy portfolio has elicited mixed reactions, with some praising his experience while others question his qualifications and past conduct. The High Court presided over by Justice Lawrence Mugambi has directed that the petition and application be served on the respondent within seven days. The judge is set to provide further directions on October 17, 2024.

Critics argue that political considerations often overshadow merit and integrity, leading to the appointment of individuals with questionable backgrounds to key government positions. Kenya has seen several high-profile cases of alleged corruption and misconduct among public officials in recent years, fueling public discontent and eroding trust in government institutions.