President William Ruto’s recent appointments to his Cabinet have stirred significant interest, particularly regarding the wealth of the nominees and the scrutiny they face.
The vetting process, led by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, revealed that five key nominees collectively have a net worth of over Sh2.5 billion.
This article explores the details of these nominees’ wealth, the vetting process, and the public’s reaction.
The five nominees who appeared before the vetting panel are Kithure Kindiki, Debra Barasa, Alice Wahome, Julias Ogamba, and Soipan Tuya.
Their declared net worth highlights significant financial growth, drawing public attention to their assets.
1. Kithure Kindiki: As the nominee for the Interior Cabinet Secretary position, Kindiki disclosed a net worth of Sh694 million.
His assets include two homes—a rural residence and a Nairobi house—as well as SACCO savings and a fleet of vehicles worth Sh17 million. This figure marks a Sh150 million increase from his previous declaration in October 2022, when he reported a worth of Sh544 million.
Kindiki attributes this growth to the payment of pending legal fees and small business income, emphasizing that none of his wealth comes from government dealings.
2. Debra Barasa: The Health Cabinet Secretary nominee reported a net worth of Sh455 million. This total includes both her assets and those of her husband.
Barasa, with extensive experience in the health sector, noted that her wealth combines her financial resources with her husband’s.
3. Alice Wahome: Nominated for the Lands position, Wahome’s net worth stands at Sh337.65 million.
This amount reflects an increase of about Sh119 million over the past two years. Wahome explained that her wealth grew due to property value appreciation and a significant rent payment from a family that had been previously delinquent.
4. Julias Ogamba: The nominee for the Education portfolio declared a net worth of Sh790 million. Ogamba’s substantial wealth positions him as one of the most financially prominent nominees.
5. Soipan Tuya: As the Defence nominee, Tuya reported a net worth of Sh243 million. Her assets include immovable property, motor vehicles, bonds, shares in SACCOs, and farming investments. This marks an increase of Sh87 million since her last declaration in 2022.
The vetting of these Cabinet nominees involved rigorous scrutiny by the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments.
This process is crucial in ensuring that the nominees are suitable for their roles and free from any conflicts of interest.
During the vetting, the nominees faced various questions regarding their financial status and past performances.
The vetting process also included a record 1,300 submissions from the public, either supporting or challenging the nominations.
These submissions played a significant role in the vetting process, highlighting both public support and concerns about the nominees.
Notably, 187 of these submissions were affidavits related to specific legal requirements, while the rest were general opinions or objections.
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