LIVE: Cabinet Secretary nominees vetting enters last day

The vetting of Cabinet Secretary nominees has entered the last day at Parliament.

Mining Cabinet Secretary nominee Hassan Joho was the first to face the Committee on Appointments.

Joho disclosed that he is worth Sh2 billion.

According to Joho, his wealth is from developing an undeveloped property.

"Largely developed and undeveloped property, which includes my homes in Mombasa, Vipingo, Malindi, and Nairobi. Shareholding in some property holdings, shareholding in family businesses, valuables and cash at bank," he said.

He clarified that the wealth is just his share and not that of the family.

Joho previously served as Kisauni MP for five years and Governor for 10 years.

If picked, he will replace Salim Mvurya.

Five CSs are set to face the vetting panel this Saturday.

Alfred Mutua

Labor and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary nominee Alfred Mutua was the second nominee for the vetting on the fourth day.

He formerly served in Tourism and Foreign Affairs.

The nominee outlined his achievements during his reign at the Tourism Ministry.

Mutua said the number of tourists has grown courtesy of the structures he helped set up where he disclosed that by the end of the year, they are expecting up to three million visitors.

This trajectory, he stated, is expected to continue and hit five million in the next one and a half years.

Mutua also revealed that his net worth has increased by Sh42 million.

When he appeared for vetting in 2022, Mutua declared that his worth was Sh420 million. His net worth now is Sh462 million.

He had told the committee that he owns hotels, businesses and a few apartments.

The former governor added that before he became the Machakos governor, his net worth stood at Sh200m.

"In the next 10 years, I hope to have doubled my income through my thriving business," he said.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula while inquiring about what his wealth was made up of, Mutua mentioned homes and land where he said he does farming and also businesses.

"I was worth Sh420 million which is about 9 to 10 percent growth," he said.

He attributed the rise to the appreciation of land value and the growth in the industries he owns.

Wycliffe Oparanya

Cooperatives and MSMEs development Cabinet nominee Wycliffe Oparanya was the third to be vetted.

If approved, he will replace Simon Chelugui.

Oparanya also revealed that he is worth Sh600,000,000.

Appearing before the Committee on Appointments in the Parliament on Sunday, he said this includes buildings and houses he resides in.

The former Kakamega Governor was the third to appear for the day before the vetting committee.

If approved, Oparanya gave an undertaking to ensure there are robust regulatory regulatory mechanisms in place and also strengthen the capacity of the board.

Oparanya is a close ally of Azimio leader Raila Odinga and served as ODM deputy party leader until a few days ago when he resigned to take up the CS nomination.

Justin Muturi

Former Attorney General Justin Muturi was the 4th Cabinet nominee to be vetted.

He was nominated to the Public Service and Human Capital Development.

Muturi said his net worth was Sh801,000,000.

During his last vetting, he was worth Sh761,000,000.

He said most of it was an evaluation of small properties in the village and farming that he does.

He had appeared before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments on Sunday. 

Muturi said he began in junior levels as a public servant, where he was earning Sh2,400.

He said he put in at least 15 years when he was earning the meagre amount.

If confirmed, Muturi will succeed former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria.

Muturi was the Attorney General in President William Ruto's former Cabinet until its dismissal on July 11, 2024.

Stella Soi Lang'at

Gender, Culture and Heritage Cabinet nominee was the fifth and last nominee to be vetted.

Lang'at has said her experience over 29 years has made her resilient and able to work in the Ministry of Gender.

Lang'at told the Committee on Appointments that she has built a career in public administration working in several ministries.

She said she has served in public service for 29 years, in the central government.

Lang'at served in various ministries including the State Department of Public Service, and the Labour Department and was part of the team setting up the State Department of Gender in 2004.

She has had various capacity-building training in mediation, conflict management and peacebuilding.

Lang'at revealed that her net worth is about Sh70 million.

She stated that her net worth comprised of assets, homes, pieces of land, a few cows, some avocado orchards and a few shares and securities.

If picked she will replace Aisha Jumwa who was in the dissolved Cabinet.