About Hassan Joho

The man, the journey, the vision. From Kisauni to Kenya's Cabinet.

Hon. Hassan Ali Joho

Hassan Ali Joho

Governor 001  ·  CS Mining & Blue Economy


Born 26 February 1973, Kisauni, Mombasa
Nationality Kenyan
Religion Islam
Party Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)
Education Harvard Kennedy School, Kampala University

A Leader Born of the Coast

Hassan Ali Joho was born on 26 February 1973 in Kisauni, Mombasa County — a bustling coastal neighbourhood where the Indian Ocean meets centuries of Swahili culture and trade. Growing up in modest circumstances, Joho's early life was shaped by the resilience and communal spirit of the Coast.

His formal education began at Tom Mboya Primary School, though his schooling was interrupted at one point due to financial hardship — a formative experience that would later drive his passion for youth education and the Joho Foundation. He later attended Serani Boys Secondary School in Mombasa, where he took on odd jobs to support himself through Form 3.

Before politics, Joho was already building an entrepreneurial legacy. He founded Prima Pest & Bins Limited, pioneering professional waste management in Mombasa, and later expanded into shipping, logistics, and manufacturing through East African Terminals Limited and M-Tech Kenya Limited.

Education

  • Tom Mboya Primary School, Mombasa
  • Serani Boys Secondary School, Mombasa
  • BA Business & Human Resource Management — Kampala University, Uganda
  • Diploma in Logistics & Business Management
  • Executive Leadership Programme — Harvard Kennedy School, USA
  • University of Nairobi (additional studies)

Family

Joho is married to Madina Hassan Joho, with whom he has four children. He has an elder brother, Abubakar Joho, and two sisters. He is a practicing Muslim and is deeply connected to the cultural fabric of the Swahili Coast.

From the Ballot to the Cabinet

2004
First Political Test
Contested the Kisauni by-election on an LDP ticket following the death of the incumbent MP. Lost narrowly but established his presence.
2006
LDP Kisauni Chairman
Served as Kisauni Constituency Chairman for the Liberal Democratic Party, building grassroots networks.
2007
Elected Member of Parliament
Won the Kisauni parliamentary seat on an ODM ticket. Also served as Assistant Minister for Transport.
2010
Deputy Party Leader
Rose to become ODM National Deputy Party Leader, cementing his stature as Kenya's coastal kingpin.
2013
First Governor of Mombasa
Won the inaugural Mombasa gubernatorial election with a commanding majority. Became the first governor of County 001.
2017
Landslide Re-election
Defended his seat with 220,576 votes versus opponent's 69,322 — a resounding mandate from the people of Mombasa.
2023
Cabinet Secretary
Appointed CS for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs in the Kenya Kwanza Broad-Based Government. Declared net worth of KSh 2.36 billion.
2027
Presidential Ambitions
Actively positioning himself as a presidential candidate, with strong backing from the Coast and allies across Kenya.

Values & Vision

Accountability

Joho believes public servants must be answerable to the people — not to political convenience.

Community First

Every policy decision must ask: how does this improve life for ordinary Kenyans, especially coastal communities?

Bold Innovation

Kenya's challenges need fresh solutions. From Blue Economy to mining, Joho champions transformative thinking.

Service & Sacrifice

True leadership is service. Joho's foundation work and grassroots engagement embody servant leadership.