I’m worth Sh251 million, nominee for SRC chairperson Sammy Chepkwony says

Sammy Chepkwony, the nominee for the position of chairperson of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), has declared a personal net worth of Sh251 million.

He revealed this when he appeared before the National Assembly's Labour and Social Welfare Committee on Friday.

Chepkwony, a seasoned human resources expert with over 30 years of experience, outlined the assets that make up his wealth., which include income earned from his employment, land, homes, vehicles, and shares in various companies.

The wealth declaration also accounted for fringe benefits, with Chepkwony stating that he does not expect any additional earnings beyond what was disclosed.

"I developed an entire public sector salary and remuneration structure for the East African Community. I recently helped develop the remuneration structure for the police service and the prisons service," Chepkwony told the vetting panel led by Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba.

He also shared insights into his work across different sectors, noting his contributions to the tea and mining industries, as well as his role in stabilising human resource practices at Kenya Airways.

The President's nomination of Chepkwony, who has held senior roles at organisations like Kenya Airways, PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), and the Aga Khan University, comes after the end of Lyn Mengich's tenure in September 2024.

He is now set to take over from Mengich, whose term expired earlier this year.

The wealth declaration, a key requirement for all public officers seeking top government positions, is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency and fight corruption.

According to the Constitution, public officers are required to disclose their assets every two years.

This information is intended to be confidential and can only be accessed by those pursuing matters of public interest, such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Chepkwony's wealth disclosure is particularly noteworthy given the recent controversy surrounding the financial status of Kenya's government officials.

In July, President William Ruto dismissed his entire Cabinet, which collectively had a combined net worth of at least Sh15.83 billion.

This was part of a broader political response to protests over the Finance Bill 2024, driven largely by younger Kenyans, many from Generation Z, calling for greater accountability from government officials.

The appointment of Chepkwony is part of President Ruto's ongoing efforts to fill key government positions.

Along with Chepkwony, six other commissioners have been nominated to the SRC, which is tasked with setting salaries for public officers in a manner that ensures fiscal sustainability.

The new commissioners include Major General (Rtd) Martin Kizito Ong'onyi and Mohamed Aden Abdi, both nominated to represent counties.

The SRC plays a crucial role in Kenya's governance structure, with commissioners serving a six-year, non-renewable term.

Their mandate is to ensure that public sector salaries are set in a way that balances the need for fair compensation with the country's fiscal health.

Chepkwony, who holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi, is also a certified human resource professional.

He is expected to bring a wealth of experience to the SRC, especially in areas related to fiscal sustainability and human resource management across various sectors.

The new SRC commissioners who were vetted alongside Chepkwony include Jane Gatakaa Njage, Leonid Ashindu, Gildea Odera, and Geoffrey Apollo Omondi.