Cs Joho Recounts How He Nearly Fought Rigathi Gachagua Over Dress Code at State House
Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Hassan Joho, has disclosed a previously unknown incident in which he nearly engaged in a physical confrontation with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at State House Nairobi. The encounter, which occurred shortly after Joho’s appointment to President William Ruto’s Cabinet, was sparked by a disagreement over Joho’s choice of attire during an official visit.
Speaking publicly on Thursday, May 29, Joho recounted the tense moment that arose when he wore his signature cap to a meeting at State House, unaware it would be considered inappropriate. He said that while President Ruto welcomed him warmly, Gachagua appeared visibly displeased with his headwear, questioning its suitability for a Cabinet minister.
“I found Ruto to be a very easy guy, hana pressure,” Joho said. “So there is this one time I went to see him… I must put on a cap. I went there with my cap and greeted His Excellency. However, one man came to me telling me that I am a minister and shouldn’t put on a cap.”
Joho said he briefly considered confronting Gachagua over the perceived slight but was persuaded to remain calm by President Ruto, whom he referred to as “boss.” He later reflected on the incident, saying he was surprised that, despite serious discussions taking place, his cap had drawn more attention than the policy matters at hand.
“I went home asking myself, we spoke about many things, but this person only saw the cap,” he added.
The following day, Joho intentionally wore the cap again during a return visit to State House. According to his account, the president discreetly handled the matter by sending someone to ask Joho to remove the cap, thereby avoiding another confrontation.
“You see, the wisdom of the president. He saw me get in with a cap and sent one to tell me to remove it. Awache tu ipite,” Joho noted.
In closing remarks during the address in Homa Bay, Joho used the story to contrast different leadership styles, suggesting that some leaders prioritize community service while others are focused on personal grievances. He posed a reflective question to the crowd, encouraging them to consider the kind of leadership they want.
“I want to ask you, the people of Homa Bay, are we going to be different people or the same people… or be like the other guys?” he said.
The revelation by Joho sheds light on internal dynamics within Kenya’s executive leadership and underscores ongoing debates around formality, personality, and leadership decorum. While no further fallout from the incident has been reported, Joho’s comments have ignited public discussion on the balance between personal style and official expectations in public service.
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Cs Joho Recounts How He Nearly Fought Rigathi Gachagua Over Dress Code at State House