President William Ruto has dismissed his entire Cabinet, collectively worth at least Sh15.83 billion, marking the end of one of Kenya’s wealthiest and most unpopular ministerial groups. The 24-member team, which included 22 Cabinet secretaries, the attorney-general, and the secretary to the Cabinet, was removed following weeks of protests against the Finance Bill 2024 and anti-government demonstrations led by young Kenyans from Generation Zoomer (Gen Z).
Protesters had issued a 30-day ultimatum to President Ruto, demanding action against rampant corruption and the dismissal of the Cabinet, which they accused of arrogance and opulence amid the suffering of ordinary Kenyans. Among the Cabinet members, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi stood out with a net worth of Sh4.4 billion.
According to the Africa Wealth Report 2022 by New World Wealth and Henley & Partners, Kenya has 8,500 individuals with a net worth of over $1 million. The Knight Frank Wealth Report counts 3,323 Kenyan-dollar millionaires. Many of President Ruto’s ministers were wealthier than the CEOs of Kenya’s largest companies, including the highly profitable Safaricom.
Mr. Mudavadi, also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, was retained alongside Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has a known wealth of Sh800 million. Mr. Mudavadi’s wealth includes properties in Riverside Estate, shares in Absa Bank and First Assurance Company Ltd, Riverside Stables worth Sh1 billion, rental office blocks worth Sh870 million through Tritone Investments, and Sh200 million in shares of Exclusive Air Services Ltd, which leases helicopters. His investments in First Assurance total Sh440 million through First Assurance Investment and Syndicate Nominees, with other investments worth Sh650 million.
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, who survived parliamentary impeachment over a fake fertilizer scandal, declared his wealth as Sh1.2 billion. Simon Chelugui (Cooperatives and MSMEs) declared Sh993 million, while Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u (National Treasury) has a net worth of Sh950 million. Chelugui, the only CS appointed by Dr. Ruto who served under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, was joined by other wealthy ministers including outgoing Defence CS Aden Duale (Sh871 million), Attorney-General Justin Muturi (Sh700 million), Moses Kuria (Public Service) Sh750 million, and ICT’s Eliud Owalo (Sh645 million).
Other notable declarations included Education CS Ezekiel Mochogu (Sh590 million), Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen (Sh550 million), Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki (Sh544 million), Energy CS Davis Chirchir (Sh482 million), Sports CS Ababu Namwamba (Sh435 million), and Tourism and Wildlife CS Dr. Alfred Mutua (Sh420 million). Trade and Industry CS Rebecca Miano declared Sh397 million, EAC, ASAL, Regional Authority CS Penina Malonza (Sh300 million), and Lands CS Alice Wahome (Sh218 million). Labour CS Florence Bore (Sh200 million), Environment CS Soipan Tuya (Sh156 million), Mining CS Salim Mvurya (Sh120 million), Health CS Susan Nakumicha (Sh101 million), Gender CS Aisha Jumwa (Sh100 million), and Water CS Zachary Njeru (Sh80 million) also revealed their wealth.
Wealth declaration for top public office seekers is mandated by the Constitution to help the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) combat corruption. However, Parliament has not approved proposed laws to lift restrictions on accessing information about the income, assets, and liabilities of public office holders. Currently, public officers must declare their wealth every two years, but the details remain confidential and are accessible only to those with a legitimate public interest.
