Agriculture Cabinet Secretary nominee Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja has disclosed that his net worth is Ksh. 214 million, which includes a range of investments and property assets. During his vetting session before the Committee on Appointments on Friday, he explained that his wealth comes from family residences, vehicles, parcels of land, and bank deposits.
This declaration aligns with the Public Office Ethics Act of 2003, which mandates that all public officials disclose their financial information, including income, assets, and liabilities.
“My net worth is Ksh.214 million, made up of my family residences, apartments, vehicles, plots of land and deposits in bank accounts,” he said.
During the session, the MPs questioned whether the CS nominee would resist the billions from cartels at Kilimo House if he’s approved to hold office.
“You are worth Ksh.214 million, you will find cartels willing to make you a billionaire within the next three years, are you going to be able to resist?” Kathiani MP Robert Mbui posed.
“One of my areas that is non-negotiable is issues to do with accountability, and it will be uncompromised. I will pray to God that I don’t move from the principle of public good which I firmly believe in because I need divine intervention because it’s not easy,” Dr. Karanja responded.
He assured that he would take a strong stance against cartels, vowing that they would be driven out of business if he takes office. “I know dealing with cartels is a significant challenge, with various formats and forms involved, but if I am approved by this House and this committee, I am giving notice to the cartels.
They will be out of business because one of the principles I hold dear is integrity—not to be compromised,” he stated.
Regarding the fertilizer scandal that occurred during former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi’s tenure, Dr. Karanja committed to establishing a governance structure for the procurement and distribution of fertilizer. This would involve a multi-agency team to ensure that the quality delivered to farmers is not compromised.
“This is a critical program and is the center of food security and we have cartels which led to quality concerns of fertiliser. If approved, this is one of the areas I will work in hands-on to ensure the quality is okay. Cartel thrive where there is lack of competition and openness,” he added.
