Mwangi Kiunjuri Tops CS Wealth List

Incoming Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri tops the list of wealth amongst incoming Cabinet Secretaries that were approved by Kenya’s parliamentary session on Wednesday for appointment.

The former Laikipia East MP estimates his net worth to be 791 million shillings mainly from lands and buildings in Nairobi, Nanyuki and Sagana

The former teacher and touch is closely followed by the incoming Health Cabinet Secretary Former Nairobi Hospital CEO Cleopa Mailu who has a net worth of Sh615 million.

They declared their wealth before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments that was chaired by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi

However according to the wealth declaration report released by the committee there are no specifications on how they the CSs acquired their wealth

“The nominee does not envisage any deferred income or future benefits and does not have outside commitments he plans to pursue outside employment.His main source of income in the preceding year is Sh67, 000,000, being salary from the Nairobi Hospital employment,” the report says.

The least amongst them all is the Incoming Mining CS Dan Kazungu who is the current Malindi MP with a net worth of Shs 100 million.

Concerns raised over public officials who become wealthy instantly once they step into their offices have been raised and in a bid to help fight corruption wealth declaration is amongst the key consideration into vetting officials.

In a bid to fight corruption wealth declaration is amongst the key considerations for all public officials who for quite a long time have been accused of using their power in the offices to enrich themselves.

The Government is further proposing that the appointees declare what they own and their liabilities 30 days after assuming office, yearly as well as when they leave office.

Earlier on two CEOs, Bob Collymore of Safaricom disclosed that he earns sh. 10 million monthly while Joshua Oigara of KCB earns 4.9 million a month.

Compared to what the CSs declared the two CEO’s wealth could be just a fraction the nominees net worth.

The CS for Communication and ICT, Joe Mucheru, declared that his wealth is estimated at Sh500 million. The report says that he has a deferred income amounting to Sh267 million from ventures that he has invested in but that have yet to mature.

Outgoing Kericho Senator Charles Keter, who is taking up the Energy docket, declared that he is worth Sh352 million.

Sicily Kariuki, who will be the CS for Public Service, Youth and Gender, acknowledged she is worth Sh168 million, being income from investments, assets and salary.

“She does not envisage any deferred income or future benefits and does not have outside commitments she plans to pursue outside employment,” the report concludes.

The seven new Cabinet candidates are drawn exclusively from the financial elite.

Each of them has a net worth of more than Sh100 million, totaling to Sh2.6 billion.

Article by Shillah Mwadosho.