Wetang'ula criticises the media for "over-focussing" on CS nominees' net worth

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has called out the media for 'focussing' on wealth declarations by CS nominees despite other questions put before them during the vetting process.

On Friday, the Speaker mentioned that the issue of wealth declaration was just one of many questions asked of the nominees. However, it received more media attention than he had anticipated.

"We asked the candidates many incisive questions, and the question of their worth was at the tail end of every interview. The candidates provided clear explanations. But what we see in the headlines is totally different," Wetang'ula lamented.

The Speaker urged the media to be fair to both the nominees and the committee, emphasising that the committee was evaluating the nominees' suitability for public office, not their wealth.

"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," Wetang'ula added.

In her remarks, Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss stated that having a high net worth was not a disqualification for the CS nominees.

"It's important for the members of the media to understand that the fact that you own properties or that your net worth is high is not a disqualification. And the fact that you declare your wealth is not for use now but for use in the future if there is alleged corruption against you," she noted.

However, National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed remarked that the concern was the source of wealth and the period of accumulation.

"There is no harm in somebody being rich, and it is not a crime in somebody being poor. But I think what people expect is a proper explanation of the source of wealth. Let's say you've worked for 30 years and made a wealth of Sh400 million, and you've worked for two years and made a wealth of Sh150 million. So that is the comparison they are looking at. Richness is not a crime, and poverty is dangerous," he said.

Environment CS nominee Aden Duale arrives in Parliament for vetting on August 2, 2024. (Photo: Aden Duale)

Five of President William Ruto's Cabinet Secretaries who underwent vetting had an aggregate net worth of over Sh2.5 billion, shocking Kenyans on Thursday.

The five who appeared before the vetting panel chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang'ula yesterday were: Kithure Kindiki (interior), Debra Barasa (health), Alice Wahome (land), Julias Ogamba (education), and Soipan Tuya (defence).

Kindiki, who was the first on the hot seat, told the Wetang'ula-led Appointment Committee that he was worth Sh694 million.

This was a Sh150 million increase in 21 months, as when he appeared before the same committee in October 2022, the former Senator told the team that he was worth Sh544 million.

Health nominee Dr. Barasa told the vetting panel that she was worth Sh455 million.

Wahome, the nominee for Lands, had a wealth of Sh337.65 million, up from Sh218 million during her vetting in 2022.

Lawyer Ogamba, who is poised to succeed Ezekiel Machogu at the Education Ministry, declared his net worth to be Sh790 million.

On the other hand, Soipan Tuya, the defence nominee, was worth Sh243 million, an increase of Sh87 million from her Sh156 million value during her vetting in 2022.

Environment CS nominee Aden Duale said that his net worth was Sh980 million.

"I have pieces of land both in Garissa and Nairobi. My house in Nairobi, my house in Garissa, my cattle ranch in Garissa, my rental property in Nairobi and Garissa, my shares in family-owned businesses, my camels and cattle, and motor vehicles. Lastly, I got good revenue from the book sales of my autobiography, which is one of the best-selling books today," he stated.

The total worth of the broad-based government is expected to shoot up as the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments is set to vet 17 more nominees.