Mining and Blue Economy Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has taken a swipe at online trolls targeting particularly government projects, saying those within government ranks will match their energy.
Speaking in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta County, where he accompanied President William Ruto in launching a number of development projects, the former Mombasa governor said there's a clique of Kenyans who have taken to spenging time on social media doing nothing other than critique every development venture.
"There are people at this very moment we are here, they are online. Mr President, a country cannot be built online; a country cannot be developed by a people whose work is Twitter (now X), Facebook, TikTok (and) Instagram," Joho said.
He said any kind of trolling by those in this lot will not go unchallenged.
"I'm giving them a notice today, they should not think they are the only ones with a mouth. We also have mouths, if they poke us, we will respond affirmatively." he said,
The President was in Taita Taveta County, where he commissioned and launched a number of development projects.
They include the commissioning of 33/11kV Substation and the flagging off of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation Paranga Electrification in Wundanyi, which are part of government efforts to scale up the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project.
The President said the government is investing Sh1.1 billion to connect 9,000 households in Taita Taveta county to power, including 900 beneficiaries from Wundanyi constituency.
Ruto used the opportunity to preach peace saying anyone who's hellbent on fostering divisive politics will not be part of the newly formed broad-based government.
"We are one people, one nation with a common destiny," he said.
Joho echoed the President's sentiments, saying there was no place for tribal politics under the new political dispensation where the oppostion and the government are working as a unified force.
Others who accompanied the President on the development tour included Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Trade CS Salim Mvurya and a host of local leaders, including Voi MP Khamis Chome and his Kilifi MP Owen Baya.
The President also commissioned Sir Ramson Last Mile Connectivity project and laid the foundation stone for Lesesia Primary and Secondary School at Njukini.
"We are addressing the lack of infrastructure and personnel in our schools by building more classrooms and employing more teachers across the country. Our goal is to ensure that our children, regardless of their background, have the chance to pursue their dreams."
Still at Njukini, Ruto laid the foundation stone for the Sh10 million Njukini Market and addressed wananchi and traders.
He also launched the upgrading to bitumen standard of 25 kilometers Cess (Nghonji) - Rekeke - Lake Jipe Road at Cessi, a road he said would boost agricultural activities by easing the transportation of farm produce, support fishing around Lake Jipe, and enhance tourism by connecting Kwale county to Tsavo West National Park and Lake Jipe.
Ruto said the Wundanyi Substation will enhance the quality of power supply to Wundanyi, Werugha, and the surrounding areas.
"This will unlock the region's agricultural, trade, and ICT potential, spurring economic growth and creating jobs."
The substation, he said, involved the construction of 29 kilometres of 33kV line from the Voi to Mwatate Substation, and a further 16 kilometres from Mwatate to Wundanyi.
