Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary nominee for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, has disclosed a significant increase in her net worth, now standing at Ksh327 million.
In 2022, Wahome stated that her net worth stood at Ksh218 million. Wahome revealed that her net worth has grown by Ksh109 million in the last 21 months.
This revelation comes as Wahome undergoes the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, chaired by Speaker Moses Wetangula, which has promised a rigorous vetting exercise.
According to Wahome, the increase resulted from the appreciation in her properties. "Just a few adjustments," she responded to the question by Speaker Wetangula.
"It is the properties that have increased in terms of appreciation in value," she exclaimed.
She went on to add, "There was one tenant that was not paying my family rent and they paid about Ksh14 million sometime in March."
Wahome, who previously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation under President William Ruto's administration, attributed her wealth accumulation to joint assets with her husband in 2022.
During her appearance before the committee in October 2022, Wahome emphasised that her current income streams include her parliamentary salary, rental income from properties, and an allowance from her law firm.
"My net worth is Ksh218 million, encompassing the value of properties owned jointly with my husband. These are family assets," Wahome stated confidently before the committee. She highlighted her income sources, detailing, "Until September, I earned a salary from parliament. I've also practised law intermittently, albeit minimally, due to the demanding nature of parliamentary duties."
Despite the significant net worth, Wahome revealed challenges in her rental income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I receive a fuel allowance of about Ksh100,000 from my firm. Additionally, I usually earn around Ksh500,000 monthly from my properties. However, they currently lack tenants due to COVID, leaving me reliant on the modest Ksh100,000 allowance and my MP salary," she explained.
Wahome's political journey began with her election as Member of Parliament for Kandara Constituency in the March 2013 general elections. She successfully defended her seat in the 2017 and 2022 elections before resigning to join the cabinet.
The vetting process for Cabinet Secretary nominees is crucial, ensuring that candidates meet the integrity and capability standards required for such influential positions.
