Mutahi Kagwe: My net worth stands at Sh842 million

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary nominee Mutahi Kagwe has revealed that his net worth amounts to Sh842 million, primarily consisting of assets in real estate and land.

Kagwe, who appeared before the parliamentary vetting committee on Tuesday, provided detailed information about his financial standing and addressed questions regarding his professional conduct.

During the vetting, Kagwe clarified that his wealth has been accumulated over many years through investments in land and real estate.

"My net worth is Sh842 million. My wealth is in assets, real estate, pieces of land here and there accumulated over many years," he said.

When asked about his criminal record, Kagwe firmly denied any involvement in illegal activities, stating that he had never been convicted of a crime.

He also denied any association with parliamentary committee investigations, asserting that he had not been adversely mentioned in any such proceedings.

The nominee was further questioned about his affiliations with political parties, to which he responded by confirming that he does not hold any office in a political party.

Additionally, Kagwe was asked whether he had ever been dismissed or removed from office, particularly in relation to Article 75 of the Constitution. He categorically denied any such occurrences.

Kagwe also addressed concerns related to his professional integrity. He was asked if he had ever engaged in practices such as favouritism, tribalism, or nepotism in his public duties.

Responding to these concerns, Kagwe expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the issues and reiterated his commitment to working collaboratively with the National Assembly and Senate members if approved.

He emphasised the importance of cooperation in the successful execution of his responsibilities.

"I look forward to working with you, collaborating with you in this house, because a fair percentage of the work that we do is cooperating with the members of the National Assembly and members of the Senate," Kagwe said.

Kagwe also pledged to focus on the pressing issues facing the Ministry of Agriculture. He reassured the committee that he would dedicate himself to addressing long-standing challenges within the sector.

"I have no intentions of wasting two years. That is the period that I have, and I will do my utmost, not only to set the ministry on the right path but also to address some of the challenges that have been ailing the ministry for a long period of time," he said.

If confirmed, Kagwe will become the third Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture under President William Ruto’s administration.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, which Kagwe will oversee, was established by Executive Order No. 1 of 2023 on January 6th. The Ministry’s primary mandate is to foster an environment that promotes the sustainable development and management of crops and livestock, aiming to ensure the country’s food and nutrition security.

The Ministry plays a crucial role in Kenya's economic and social development, focusing on enhancing food security, creating employment and wealth, and increasing foreign exchange earnings. Its work directly impacts the nation’s agricultural growth and economic prosperity.

The Ministry’s mandate is centred on creating an enabling environment for sustainable agricultural development, specifically aimed at ensuring food and nutrition security and driving economic growth. It also plays a key role in supporting Kenya's broader development goals.

The Ministry's structure consists of two main State Departments: the State Department for Crop Development and the State Department for Livestock Development. In addition to these, it oversees the operations of several Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) and numerous training institutions.