Hassan Joho, the current Cabinet Secretary for Mining, is facing serious questions over his role in the Turkana gold scandal, according to reports published by Nyakundi Reports. The case has revealed troubling details about how Joho may have misused his office to benefit select companies at the expense of others. What was supposed to be a regulated and fair mining process has now turned into a mess involving court battles, missing records, and accusations of bias.
The matter involves four companies Mayfox Mining, Lorado Company, AHG Metals Kenya, and H-Nuo Kenya each claiming rights to the same piece of land in Turkana’s Naduat area.
These goldfields are known to be rich in resources, and the potential profits have led to growing tensions. However, instead of guiding the sector with fairness, Joho has been accused of interfering with the process.
According to court documents, officials in the Ministry of Mining, under Joho’s leadership, allegedly tampered with the official registry by removing existing license data. The removed licenses were then replaced with new ones awarded to different companies, some of which had unclear backgrounds.
One of the companies, Lorado, claims that its rights were stripped unfairly, and that Joho moved quickly to split the land and reassign it to other entities. Mayfox Mining, which held one of the original licenses, also found its details missing from the ministry’s cadastre system.
According to Manga Mugwe, a representative of Mayfox, this deletion appears intentional and aimed at pushing them out of the picture. Even more worrying is that this reshuffling of licenses happened while a court case over the same land was ongoing.
Joho’s actions have raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the mining sector. Critics argue that this level of interference shows clear bias and opens the door to corruption.
A public notice issued by Joho on March 20, 2025, further fueled suspicion, as it indicated his intention to issue licenses even before the court process concluded. Such a move suggests either a lack of respect for the law or a determination to push through decisions regardless of legal challenges.
Joho’s appointment as Cabinet Secretary was controversial from the start. Many questioned whether he had the necessary qualifications, and others viewed his inclusion in the Kenya Kwanza government as a political deal rather than a merit-based choice.
His recent conduct only deepens doubts about his ability to run a sensitive ministry like Mining. Instead of bringing stability and development to the sector, Joho’s tenure has been marked by conflict, confusion, and distrust among industry players.
This scandal should not be taken lightly. Oversight bodies such as Parliament, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Office of the Auditor-General must step in to investigate the full scope of what has happened.
The Turkana goldfields represent a major opportunity for Kenya’s economy, but if managed poorly, they will continue to be a source of conflict and corruption.
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