Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Nominee Hassan Joho: Yes, I scored a D- in KCSE but…
Hassan Joho, a nominee for Cabinet Secretary, defended his academic qualifications on Sunday, emphasizing his readiness to oversee Kenya’s mining and blue economy sectors.
Mr. Joho, whose academic records have been scrutinized, informed the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments that he possesses two university degrees and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Addressing skepticism, he remarked, “People often doubt those from the Coast, but we are equally qualified as any other Kenyan,” in response to questions from MPs Junet Mohamed and Kimani Ichung’wah.
Coming from a modest background, Mr. Joho shared, “I did not grow up with the privilege of an educationally supportive environment,” contrasting his path with many Kenyans by stating he began working before pursuing education, which does not equate to failure.
Inspired by Prof. Ali Mazrui, he noted, “Prof. Mazrui didn’t pass his Cambridge exams but became one of the most distinguished scholars,” emphasizing that historical challenges are genuine, and a level playing field does not exist for everyone.
The Orange Democratic Movement deputy leader admitted to scoring a D- in his Form Four exams but highlighted his significant achievements in academics, business, and leadership since then.
Clarifying his educational journey post-Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), he mentioned his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams at Tom Mboya Primary School in 1988. Financial constraints kept him at home for a year before he joined Serani Secondary School, completing his secondary education in 1993 with a D- grade.
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Mr. Joho then enrolled in a certificate course at Kampala University, eventually bridging his way to university entry, completing a diploma in 2007, and graduating in 2013. He also acquired a certificate in business administration in 2008, enabling him to pursue a diploma in human resource management.
In 2009, he fulfilled the requirements for a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kampala University. Subsequently, he pursued another degree at Gretsa University in Thika before enrolling in a master’s program at Harvard focused on public leadership, aiming for a mid-career master’s degree in public administration.
Facing a barrage of questions from the committee, Mr. Joho acknowledged that scrutiny of his academic credentials was expected, stating, “It arises whenever I get an opportunity… it began in 2007 when I ran for MP, with even my kindergarten certification questioned, yet we prevailed.”
Mr. Joho’s political journey began in 2004, becoming the Kisauni party chairman for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2006 to 2007, and serving as Kisauni MP for five years post-2007 elections on the ODM ticket.
He was elected Mombasa governor in 2013, successfully defending his position in 2017 until 2022. He is among four opposition leaders slated to join President William Ruto’s Cabinet if approved by MPs, alongside John Mbadi (Treasury), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), and Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives).
Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Nominee Hassan Joho: Yes, I scored a D- in KCSE but…
