Ruto’s new-look Ksh.18 billion Cabinet: Who has the deepest pockets?

Since then, he has assembled a new team, which included some Cabinet returnees, with an even higher amassed net worth of Ksh.18.613 billion.

This is also inclusive of the latest entries; Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), William Kabogo (ICT) and Lee Kinyanjui (Trade) who were nominated and are expected to sail through the vetting exercise following President Ruto's recent visit to Ichaweri to restore his bromance with his former boss, Uhuru Kenyatta.

The three nominees concluded their vetting sessions on Tuesday, January 14, with the National Assembly's Committee on Appointments expected to submit a report on their suitability.

If approved, the Cabinet will consist of fresh and seasoned political leaders who will attempt to navigate unchartered waters by restoring public confidence in the current regime.

During the vetting sessions, all the CSs were required to declare their net worth, bringing to light the multimillionaires who have amassed immense wealth in their tenures.

Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, who also holds the Foreign Affairs docket, is the CS with the deepest pockets owing to his Ksh.4 billion declaration.

Interestingly, the declaration was made in 2022 and it goes without saying that Mudavadi has continued to amass wealth for the over two years he has continued to be in office.

He is closely followed by ICT CS nominee William Kabogo who declared a Ksh.3.01 billion net worth comprising real estate, cash, interest and shares. 

Some Members of Parliament, however, argued that Kabogo's flamboyant nature does not match the stated figure, citing that his net worth should be higher.

Mining and Blue Economy CS Hassan Ali Joho rounds up the top three list with a Ksh.2.3 billion valuation comprising houses in Vipingo, Mombasa, Nairobi and Malindi. Joho also declared shares in family businesses and cash at the bank. 

Environment CS Aden Duale, who has been in politics for over two decades, has also acquired immense wealth which stands at Ksh.980 million as of August 2024; a sharp increase from the Ksh.851 million he declared in 2022 during vetting for the Defence docket.

The CS listed assets such as parcels of land, cattle ranch, camels, family-owned businesses, rental properties and motor vehicles. 

The first woman on the list is Mercy Wanjau, Secretary to the Cabinet with a Ksh.475 million figure declared in 2022. She, however, did not make it to the top 10 list which was dominated by male leaders. 

"My financial net worth as disclosed is Ksh.475.4 million comprising; land and buildings at about Ksh.380.4 million, shares, stocks and deposits at about Ksh.89 million, agriculture in the form of large commercial farming of trees at about Ksh.6 million and four motor vehicles, enjoined property valued at about Ksh.3 to 4 million, they are fairly old,” she explained during her vetting in 2022.

Raila Odinga's allies who were added to the Cabinet under the broad-based approach have a total combined net worth of Ksh.3.8 billion; comprising Joho (Ksh.2.3 billion), Cooperatives CS Wycliffe Oparanya (Ksh.600 million), Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi (Ksh.530 million) and Treasury CS John Mbadi (Ksh.390 million).

Uhuru's inner circle, that are set to join the Cabinet pending approval from Parliament, accounts for Ksh.4.3 billion.

They include Kabogo (Ksh.3 billion), Kagwe (Ksh.842 million) and Trade CS nominee Lee Kinyanjui (Ksh.471 million).