Ali Hassan Joho, the Mining Cabinet Secretary nominee, recently opened up about his academic journey during a vetting session in parliament. His story is one of determination and resilience, showcasing how he turned his early struggles into significant academic achievements, despite numerous challenges along the way.
Joho began his education at Tom Mboya Primary School in Mombasa before proceeding to Serani High School. However, his academic path was not smooth. Coming from a poor family, Joho faced financial hardships that interrupted his schooling. He explained to the parliamentary panel that his parents could not afford to pay school fees, leading him to take a year-long break between primary and secondary school.
“If you look at my CV, I had to take a break for one year, transiting from primary to secondary school. My parents couldn’t afford school fees. I was living in an environment that could not allow me to quickly prosper in matters of education,” Joho stated.
Despite these obstacles, Joho’s determination to pursue education remained unwavering. After high school, he ventured into business. In 2006, he took a bridging course that enabled him to join university. He earned a diploma in 2007 and subsequently attained a degree from Kampala University in 2013. Not stopping there, Joho went on to acquire another degree from Gretsa University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School.
Joho’s academic journey has often been scrutinized, especially during his political career. Doubts about his qualifications have surfaced repeatedly, with critics questioning the authenticity of his academic records. Amidst this skepticism, a KCSE certificate purported to be Joho’s, showing a D- grade, circulated on social media, further fueling the controversy.
In response, Joho candidly admitted to scoring poorly in high school but emphasized how he turned his situation around through further education. “Yes, I did not do well in my secondary school, I got a D-. No doubt. But I turned that around. Today, as I sit here, I hold two degrees. I am on my pathway to attain a master’s degree from the most prestigious university in the world. That is achieved by determination,” he told the vetting panel.
Joho’s journey is a testament to the fact that early academic struggles do not define one’s future potential. He highlighted the real-life challenges faced by individuals from less privileged backgrounds and urged Kenyans not to lose hope despite their past difficulties. “I want many Kenyans to listen to me. Do not imagine your hope dies by your previous struggles. We suffered, what gives me pride is that I turned that around. When I found the slightest opportunity for self-improvement, I grabbed it,” Joho said.
Joho also addressed the recurring questions about his qualifications, noting that such doubts have emerged every time he has sought a leadership position. “It started when I was running for MP in 2007. That time they even said my kindergarten was fake. When I was running for governor in 2013 – and I hope we can bring this to a permanent closure – it also became one of the biggest campaign issues,” he remarked.
If approved by parliament, Joho will serve as the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs in President William Ruto’s government. His journey from a struggling student to a candidate for a key government position underscores the power of perseverance and the importance of seizing opportunities for self-improvement, no matter the starting point.
