Six Former Secretaries Return with a Combined Net Worth of Ksh.2.64 Billion

Six Cabinet Secretaries are set to make a comeback in President William Ruto’s newly constituted Cabinet as part of his plan to form a broad-based government.

The six CSs who were reappointed include Kithure Kindiki (Interior), Alice Wahome (Lands), Aden Duale (Defence), Rebecca Miano (Attorney General), Davis Chirchir (Transport) and Soipan Tuya (Environment).

Alongside five other nominees, the new Cabinet will undergo vetting in Parliament to ascertain if they are fit to hold office and can deliver on their mandate.

One of the underlying questions often posed during the vetting session is the nominee’s net worth and properties owned. The declaration is guided by law according to the Public Officer Ethics Act 2003, which entails that every public officer must make financial declarations of incomes, assets and liabilities.

Failure to make the declaration or providing false information is an offence and attracts a fine, upon conviction, not more than Ksh.1 million or one-year jail term or both.

The six faces making a comeback were vetted in October 2022 and their total net worth stands at Ksh.2.64 billion. Here is the breakdown below:

Kithure Kindiki

• Position: Interior CS
• Net Worth: Ksh.544 million
• Sources of Income: Law practice, business ventures, and consultancy.
• Asset Breakdown:
• Land and buildings: Ksh.165 million
• Bank deposits: Ksh.50 million
• Investments in shares and deposits at five different Saccos (specific amounts not disclosed).

Aden Duale

• Position: Defence CS nominee
• Net Worth: Ksh.851 million
• Sources of Income: Assets and an annual income of Ksh.10 million, primarily from rentals.
• Assets:
• 231 camels and sheep in Kitui County.

Alice Wahome

• Position: Lands CS
• Net Worth: Ksh.218 million
• Sources of Income: Salary as an MP, monthly rental income, and a monthly allowance from her law firm.
• Details:
• Shared assets with her husband, Dr. Godfrey Wahome Ng’ayu (a certified obstetrician and gynecologist).
• Monthly fuel allowance of Ksh.100,000 from her firm.
• Monthly rental income of Ksh.500,000, which has been impacted by the lack of tenants since COVID-19.

Rebecca Miano

• Position: Attorney General
• Net Worth: Ksh.397 million
• Career Background: Transitioned from East African Community CS to Trade ministry and now Attorney General.
• Asset Breakdown:
• Two houses (one in Nyahururu and one in Nairobi).
• Three vehicles: Toyota Prado, Mitsubishi Pajero, and an Isuzu truck.
• Accumulation: Wealth amassed over a 30-year career, including shared assets with her husband.

Davis Chirchir

• Position: Transport CS nominee
• Net Worth: Ksh.482 million
• Sources of Income: Investments and an annual income of Ksh.12 million.
• Asset Breakdown:
• Homes in Karen and Kilimani.
• Rental apartments in Westlands.
• Family-owned tea value-addition business.
• Specific assets include farms in Olengurwaini and Kipsenoi, a house in Spring Valley valued at Ksh.95 million, and other properties valued at Ksh.50 million.

Soipan Tuya

• Position: Environment CS
• Net Worth: Ksh.156 million
• Assets:
• Three homes located in Nairobi, Narok, and her village.
• Additional holdings include motor vehicles, apartments, plots of land, and a dairy business.

These financial declarations will be scrutinized during the vetting process to ensure transparency and accountability among the Cabinet members.