"I don’t give a damn about being an academic dwarf", Joho fires back at Ruto

Mombasa Governor, Ali Hassan Joho has fired back at the Deputy President, William Ruto for calling him an “academic dwarf” who doesn’t understand ports.

“Let me tell you [Ruto], you can call me whatever you wish. Let me be an academic dwarf. But if it is for interests of my people, I don’t give a damn about it,” Joho said at Aldina in Jomvu sub county during the monthly Town Hall meeting.

The ODM Governor rebuked Ruto and told him to instead stick to what he knows best; Maize and agriculture and leave port matters to the experts.

“You [Ruto] are the one who is ignorant about port matters. You should let me teach you about port operations. Stick to maize and other agricultural practices.”

While speaking at the Mombasa Women’s Hall on Sunday, Ruto accused Joho of having questionable academic certificates. He said Joho does not understand port operations and that is why he is opposed to the setting up of a dry port in Naivasha.

“I hear some people here in Mombasa are opposed to the dry port. Those are the effects of buying [academic] papers,” he said.

Joho who has  declared he will vie for presidency come 2022, said he will not be intimidated into keeping quiet about matters of importance to Mombasa residents.

Joho also took a swipe at the Jubilee government saying the government wants to drive the Coastal region to poverty by transferring port operations upcountry.

“Does he know how many people, clearing agents, truck drivers and warehouse operators in Mombasa that would lose their jobs?” Joho asked.

“They want to transfer the dry dock to Naivasha so that their people can benefit.”

Joho has been at loggerheads with the Jubilee leadership over what he terms deliberate efforts by the national government to sideline the Coast.

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Early this year after the New Year celebrations, Joho publicly blasted Uhuru for snubbing him while at the Mombasa County where he had holidaying for the more than two weeks.

“I will tell it like it is,”  the vocal governors told the star.

Other Cord leaders who have opposed a dry port in Naivasha include ODM leader Raila Odinga and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.