President Uhuru Kenyatta’s 14 nominees for the posts of ambassadors and high commissioners hold a combined wealth of Sh935 million.
Major-General Samuel Nandwa, who was nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador in Juba, is the richest having declared his net worth as Sh105 million.
He is followed by Benson Ogutu at Sh101 million with Major-General Ngewa Mukala coming third with a net worth of Sh100 million.
Mr Ogutu is set to be Kenya’s envoy to Russia while Major-General Mukala will be Kenya’s Ambassador in Khartoum, Sudan.
Lindsay Kiptiness, who is set to take over as Kenya’s Ambassador in Bangok, Thailand, has the least wealth having declared his net worth as Sh30 million.
At the bottom of the wealth list, Mr Kiptiness is followed by Tabu Irina, the Ambassador-designate in Tokyo, Japan with a net worth of Sh34.14 million, John Tipis (Sh35 million), Catherine Mwangi (Sh50 million) and Jushua Gatimu (Sh50 million).
Ms Mwangi is headed to Pretoria, South Africa while Mr Gatimu will be posted to Tehran. Mr Tipis will represent Kenya in Canberra as the High Commissioner to Australia.
The wealth list revealed that those who have previously served in public offices or consulted for government were richer compared to those who have served in the private sector.
Wealth declaration for those seeking top public office is anchored in the Constitution as a tool in the fight against corruption.
In the same vein, the Public Officer Ethics Act requires all State officers to submit their wealth declaration forms once every two years.
Section 26 of the Act requires the officers to submit their declaration forms together with those of their spouses and dependent children under the age of 18.
Full financial disclosure helps the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detect and prevent corruption when top public servants are serving in office.
The National Assembly committee committee on defence and foreign relations, who vetted the 14 nominees, recommended the approval and appointment to fill various vacant diplomatic posts abroad.
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“Having considered the suitability, capacity, integrity of the nominees and pursuant to Article 132(2) of the Constitution and Standing Order 216(5) (f), the committee recommends that the National Assembly approves the nomination and subsequent appointment by His Excellency the President of Ambassador John Tipis (Canberra, Australia),” the committee said.
Stella Munyi, who is headed to Harare, Zimbabwe told the vetting committee her net worth is Sh91.7 million.
Immaculate Wambua and Daniel Wambura who is heading to Ottawa, Canada Bujumbura (Burundi) respectively each put their net worth at Sh76 million.
Martin Kimani, the former joint secretary to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), put his wealth at Sh58 million. Dr Kimani has been nominated as Kenya’s Ambassador to New York and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Jean Kamau, who was named Kenya’s Permanent Representative to Un-Habitat in Nairobi, said she is worth Sh60 million.
The 14 were among 25 people nominated or appointed by the President to fill the positions of high commissioner, permanent representative, ambassadors and deputy heads of missions.
Mr Kenyatta also appointed former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners Connie Maina, Paul Kurgat and Margaret Mwanchanya as deputy heads of mission.
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