Cheers as President Ruto introduces Joho in Sagana

President William Ruto's announcement of Hassan Joho as the new Minister for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs was met with enthusiastic cheers from Sagana residents on Saturday.

During his development tour, President Ruto stopped to address the community and revealed that he had asked Joho to stay in Sagana to oversee improvements in the fisheries sector.

The mention of Joho's name sparked cheers from the crowd, causing the President to pause and laugh at the warm reception.

Ruto stated that he had tasked CS Joho with increasing the production of fingerlings in Kirinyaga County from one million to five million by the end of the year.

"I have directed the new Cabinet Secretary, Ali Hassan Joho, who is here with us (cheers, as Ruto laughs), to stay in Sagana until this project is fully implemented," the President said.

"We have agreed to boost investment in this project, aiming to raise fingerling production from one million to five million," he added.

The President highlighted Sagana's reputation for fingerling production, which supplies much of the country. Despite this, he noted the lack of a comprehensive plan to support the sector.

Ruto announced that the government would collaborate with the African Development Bank to secure additional funding to expand fingerling production and enhance the fisheries sector.

"You are renowned for fingerlings and supply many parts of Kenya, but there hasn't been a solid plan to support this," he said. "The Kenyan government, in partnership with the African Development Bank, will invest in doubling your production."

This visit marks President Ruto's first working tour with Joho as the Minister for Maritime Affairs, following Joho's appointment to Ruto's newly reconstituted Cabinet on July 11, 2024.

The President is also set to launch several development projects in Kirinyaga on Saturday.