As the vetting of the newly appointed CSs before the National Assembly Committee continues, Kenyans are getting to know the businesses and net worth of different politicians.
Nominee CS Blue Economy, Maritime and Mining and ODM’s strongman, Ali Hassan Joho, turn to appear before the committee has attracted a lot of publicity. This is because he is known to flaunt his immense wealth time and again. His collection of luxurious car models, vintage watches, and the latest fashion brands has always sparked debate, from different quarters, on whether his wealth is genuine or not.
Joho Declares his net worth
According to the former Mombasa County Governor, he acquired his wealth from developing an undeveloped property.
Appearing before the Parliamentary vetting Committee on Sunday, August 4, Joho revealed that his net worth is Ksh. 2,361,332, 249.
He further added that he holds shares in several companies. Joho noted that he has shares in his family businesses which he insisted were not linked to the government.
“Largely developed and undeveloped property, which includes my homes in Mombasa, Vipingo, Malindi, and Nairobi. Shareholding in some property holdings, shareholding in family businesses, valuables and cash at bank,” he said.
No more flaunting for Joho
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who sits on the committee, asked him to address his apparent flamboyance on social media sites, mostly Instagram.
Joho responded that he is a balanced person who knows how to read the room. He said he knows when to differentiate work and play and the two don’t mix.
“What I want to assure this honorable committee is that I appreciate certain factors of life and you must have a balance. When you are serving the people, you must first of all make them feel comfortable,” he stated.
“You must make them feel you are one of them. So opulence for me is a no. When I am working, I am working, when I am enjoying myself in my own setup at home, that’s fine and that’s another story. But when am going to Kenyan people my dedication is to work for them.”
Joho made it clear that his accrued wealth is his and sees no point in flaunting it. He further explained that he owned several watches worth millions of shillings even before being a politician.
Life Before Politics
Before he joined politics, Joho was a successful businessman in the waste management sector, running a family-owned garbage collection company, Prima Pest and Bins Ltd.
He started politics in 2004 by contesting the Kisauni parliamentary seat during a by-election. He ran on a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) ticket following the death of MP Emmanuel Karisa Maitha who was also a Minister For Local Government.
Joho served as Kisauni MP for five years, in 2007, on an ODM ticket. In 2012, Joho was appointed Assistant Minister for Transport during President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s grand coalition government. He returned as Governor for 10 years. His close ties with ODM leader Raila Odinga have further solidified his influence, making him a key player in the opposition landscape.
