Trade CS nominee Lee Kinyanjui during his vetting in Parliament on January 14, 2025/ENOS TECHE
Investments, Trade and Industry CS nominee Lee Kinyanjui is worth Sh471 million, a committee of the National Assembly has been told.
Kinyanjui, who had appeared before the Committee on Appointments chaired by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula for approval hearings, said his shares in family businesses are about Sh399 million.
He added that he has an apartment worth Sh8 million and a loan of Sh8 million.
“For a former governor, that is very modest, I must say,” Wetang’ula said.
In his closing remarks, Kinyanjui assured Kenyans that he will give his very best if given the opportunity to head the ministry.
“I know these opportunities do not come every day, and as a person who has been in public office, I will not run away from challenges. The more challenges there are, the more justification I will have to turn around the tide,” he said.
Kinyanjui said he will be seeking support from Parliament in areas to do with legislation, noting that he has worked very closely with a good number of MPs in the past.
“Teamwork is very critical for success, and I will be working closely with those in the office. I pledge to do my best for Kenya,” he promised.
Kinyanjui also defended his past criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He termed his critique of President William Ruto’s administration as “positive criticism.”
There is a difference of being critical of policies and being critical of a government. If for example, we say pending bills are affecting business, that is not an affront to the government. It is a plea from the business community to ease cash flows,” he explained.
Kinyanjui noted that he resigned from the Ubuntu People’s Forum immediately after he was nominated to the position.
“I have resigned from Ubuntu party, but my heart is very connected to its philosophy of ‘I am because you are’,” he added.
Kinyanjui contested for the Nakuru governor position on a Jubilee ticket and lost to UDA’s Susan Kihika.
He then went on to form his own political outfit, the Ubuntu People's Forum.
