National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called out the media while defending the net worth declared by Cabinet nominees who are appearing before the National Assembly Appointments Committee.
Wetang’ula made the remarks on Friday, August 2, at the National Assembly chambers during the vetting of Agriculture CS nominee Dr. Andrew Karanja Mwihia.
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The speaker called out the media over the reporting of the declarations made by the first five nominees on Thursday, lamenting that the media focused majorly on the net worth part.
Speaker Wetang’ula further asked the media to be fair and focus on other issues as well, adding that the vetting committee evaluates the CS nominees’ suitability to hold public office which they are nominated to, and not necessarily evaluating the wealth of the candidates.
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“Yesterday we had five candidates. We asked them many questions ending with this minor issue of their net worth and the media only picked the part about the net worth. We want the media to be fair to both the candidates and the Committee because we are not here to evaluate the wealth of the candidate but to evaluate their suitability to hold public office to which they are nominated to,” said speaker Wetang’ula.
Wetang’ula said that besides candidates being asked many incisive questions, the question about their worth was at the tail end of every interview, adding that the candidates gave very clear explanations.
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“Like Soipan (Defense CS Nominee) said her growth is because of the appreciation of the assets which she had, and I believe it applies to everybody. But what we have seen in the headlines is totally different,” added Wetang’ula.
MP Ichung’wah Speaks on Declaration of Net Worth by CS Nominees
National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah on his part said that it was important for the public to be aware that CSs access mortgages once appointed into office.
“I know its newspapers that largely reported about it largely because it is a vetting process. In fact, the honorable Soipan said appreciation of land and a house she has acquired in Nairobi.
“I think it is important for the public to also know that all these Cabinet Secretaries once appointed into office just like all Members of Parliament in this house access mortgage facilities to acquire properties. Soipan has also been an MP for three terms,” said Ichung’wah.
Also Read: Soipan Tuya Declares Her Net Worth
The first five Cabinet nominees who appeared before the parliamentary committee on Thursday have a combined net worth of roughly Ksh2.5 billion based on their declarations.
Appearing before the panel on day one was Interior and National Administration Nominee Kithure Kindiki, Health nominee Debra Mlongo Barasa, and Education Ministry nominee Julius Migos Ogamba.
Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development nominee Alice Wahome, and Defense nominee Soipan Tuya also appeared before the committee.
Among other considerations during the vetting, nominees are also expected to declare their net worth.
Of particular concern during the vetting was how the net worth of nominees who were in the previous Cabinet has changed over the last 20 months.
Majority said they acquired their wealth from businesses, savings, assets and salary income.
Kindiki and other Nominess Declare their Wealth
Kithure Kindiki, Soipan Tuya and Alice Wahome were among CSs fired by President William Ruto, but later reappointed.
During his first vetting in 2022, Kindiki disclosed to the same committee that he was valued at Ksh544 million.
Also Read: REVEALED: Millions Alice Wahome Has Amassed Since 2022
However, the CS nominee on Thursday disclosed that from his salaries and allowances, law firm business, and clients offsetting pending bills, he has been able to grow his wealth to Ksh694 million from Ksh544 million he quoted two years ago.
Alice Wahome, whose net worth was Ksh218, 400,000 in 2022, on her part disclosed that she has grown her wealth to Ksh327,650,000.
Soipan Tuya who was worth Ksh156 million two years ago said that she has grown her wealth to Ksh243 million within the period.
Tuya linked her wealth to asset appreciation, businesses and one asset which she said she acquired in Nairobi.
Debra Mlongo Barasa, the health docket nominee, said her wealth is Ksh455,845,320, calculated as a combined net worth with her spouse.
Education Ministry nominee Julius Migos Ogamba on his part told the committee that he is worth Ksh790 million, money he acquired from his law firm, land, tea, trees, farm equipment and vehicles.
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