[PHOTOS] Mining CS Joho holds talks with US Ambassador Meg Whitman

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs CS Hassan Joho on Wednesday hosted US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman at his Nairobi office.

The CS said they discussed matters relating to the Kenya- US  partnership on investment in the areas of mining, blue economy and maritime affairs.

Joho said the areas contribute fully to Kenya’s economic growth and equally have the potential to create jobs for young people.

"Over the years, Kenya and the US have enjoyed cordial relations and commitment towards that flourishes and deepens for the benefit of our two great nations," he said.

Other leaders who attended the meeting included Principal Secretaries Elijah Mwangi (Mining),  Betsy Njagi (Blue Economy and Fisheries) and Geoffrey Eyanae Kaituko (Maritime Affairs and Shipping).

Last week, Joho officially took over the office from his predecessor Salim Mvurya.

President William Ruto appointed Mvurya to take over the Investments, Trade and Industry Ministry formerly held by Rebecca Miano.

After his nomination, Joho spelt out a 10-point plan he intends to use to turn around the ministry.

He said that getting rid of cartels will be his first order of business.

"There are greater cartels in the mining industry; that is where I will begin,” Joho said.

He further made public his plan to turn around the ministry, beginning with digitising all ministry processes.

Joho said that through this, he intends to create an open-source repository for information access as well as build local capacity for technological system control.

He went on to say that he will be a listening CS and will be involved and have dialogue and exchange of ideas with all stakeholders.

“I will engage the private sector through public-private partnerships...conduct regular accountability briefings for public engagement,” he said.

The former Mombasa governor added that he will also develop a Blue Carbon Regulatory framework to guide carbon trading and exploit its economic potential.

Joho also called for a review of the Mining Act to ensure completion for process efficiency.