'We will come for you!' Joho warns Kenyans criticizing Gov't on social media

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has called out Kenyans taking to social media to vent their frustrations against President William Ruto's administration.

Speaking in Taita Taveta on Tuesday during the official unveiling of the Devki Iron Processing Plant, Joho emphasised that true economic progress comes from concrete efforts on the ground and not noise on social media platforms.

"Hii nchi haiwezi kuendelea kwa kupitia mtandao; haiwezekani...kwani hii (Devki plant) leo ni Facebook imelaunch ama ni Twitter ama ni TikTok? Si ni watu…si ni kazi ambayo imefanywa kwa ground?" He posed.

Further, Joho slammed Kenyans for using social media platforms to pray for Raila Odinga's downfall in his bid for the Africa Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson position, labeling them unpatriotic and warning that there would be consequences for such actions.

"I want to tell the young people, nchi haiwezi pelekwa namna hiyo. Wewe unakaa kwa mtandao, unakosa uzalendo; you become so unpatriotic. Wengine wanasema Raila Odinga aanguke AU," he said.

"How unpatriotic can you be as Kenyans that even one of your own ako na nafasi ya kuongoza pahali pazuri, kwa sababu ya kisiasa ya kizembezembe mnaanza kusema he must fall? We will come for you my friend."

Joho also criticized individuals who, from behind their screens, wish harm upon Kenya's leaders.

He also condemned those who, instead of contributing positively, position themselves as self-appointed experts while 'sitting idly' online.

"Wakileta (noma) tunaleta...mkichoma tunachoma....wacha niseme na kama wamejam wanaeza burst. This is the only country that someone takes to social media anatengeneza hapo kaburi alafu anaombea viongozi mabaya na unataka tukuangalie? Ama wewe unakaa hapo you become an expert of everything," he said.

"Nyinyi kuweni kwa mtandao; sisi tuko kwa ground ....na ukituletea noma hapa ndio headquarter...wakileta noma, noma....wakileta mbaya, mbaya!"

Further, Joho referred to the leak of his phone number on social media platforms on Monday, a trend that has become common this year, where some Kenyans leak phone numbers of politicians to allow others to 'salimia' leaders they feel are neglecting their duties.

"Jana walinikujia usiku, walisema wananisalimia wakanitumia shilingi shilingi...tafadhali leo nirudieni na mia mia...mwache kunirudishia shilingi shilingi, tumeni mia ama mia mbili ...mi nazingojea," said the defiant Joho.

The CS' sentiments were shared by National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed who told off Kenyans for constantly protesting proposed initiatives of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

"Hatuwezi sema ushuru yoyote inatoka nchi yetu ni ushuru mbaya...lazima tutofautishe gani mzuri na gani mbaya but if we generalise everything and we say all taxations are bad...tufunge nchi kila mtu aende kazi yake ingine. Tusiwe nchi ya kulalamika kila wakati," he said.