Newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Ali Hassan Joho’s tenure in office is facing its first of many hurdles after a petition was filed at the Milimani Law Courts challenging his suitability to hold the said office.
In the petition, Genesis for Human Rights Commission claims that the Joho lacks the requisite academic credentials to hold such a critical ministry within the Kenyan government.
Caleb Ngwena, a resident of Bamburi, Mombasa County filed a supporting affidavit, claiming that the Mining CS was involved in numerous shoddy land deals within Mombasa during his two terms as governor.
“That the Respondents in clearing the Interested Party suitable for appointment as Cabinet Secretary was done unprocedurally and illegally as the Respondents did not take into consideration the various Memorandas containing evidence of his unsuitability for appointment,” the petition reads in part.
The petitioners seek to have the court bar Joho from discharging his mandate as cabinet secretary for Mining pending determination of the petition.
“That pending hearing and determination of this Petition the Court be pleased to issue conservatory orders restraining the Interested Party from acting as and/or discharging the duties and functions of Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime affairs and/or holding such position in manner whatsoever,” reads the application.
Justice L.N Mugambi has directed that the Petition and the Application be served within 7 days.
“Responses to both the Application and Petition be filed and served within 14 days,” the judge ordered.
Further directions on the case will be issued on October 17, 2024.
The petitioners listed the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Committee on Appointments, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Commission for University Education, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and the Attorney General as respondents in the case.
