We are coming for you, Joho warns Kenyans criticising Ruto

By Peter Ochieng

Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy Hassan Ali Joho has warned Kenyans using social media platforms to criticise President William Ruto.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for DEVKI Iron Processing Project, in Manga, Taita Taveta County on Tuesday, Joho seemingly mocked Kenyans using social media to discredit President Ruto's administration.

He said Ruto's government cannot be removed from power through social media. "Serikali haiwezi kuondolewa kupitia mtandao (the government cannot be toppled through social media)," he declared.

"How unpatriotic can Kenyans be? We will come for you," he added.

"Jana walinisalimia wakanitumia shilingi kila mtu. Leo tumeni mia moja au mbili (Yesterday they greeted me and send me 1 bob each. Today send 100 or 200."

Before his appointment in President Ruto's cabinet after the June/July protests, Joho was Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party leader.

During his time in the opposition chambers, he was among major critics of Ruto's administration.

Like former ODM chairman John Mbadi who is now the Treasury CS, Joho has sharply turned into one of Ruto's fierce defenders.

He recently said that by virtue of being a CS in Ruto's government, he is able to 'bring development' to Kenyans.

"If I were outside (opposition), I would be complaining, but now I can bring you development because I joined the government. From here, I will go to the lake region and commission more projects because I am on the inside (government)."

"You gave President Ruto a chance, and I was not there. I was on the opposition side, and in fact, I was really criticising the government. It was not easy making that decision to join the government, but I chose to serve my country," he added.

The CS indicated that joining Ruto's government was not easy.