Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho on Sunday estimated his net worth at Ksh2.36 billion.
While appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments, the former Mombasa Governor indicated that most of their wealth was in the form of his homes as well as investments in companies.
Specifically, he indicated that his personal wealth, separate from his family's, stood at Ksh2,361,332,249.
Joho noted that the wealth originated from his developed and undeveloped properties including homes in Mombasa, Vipingo, Nairobi, and Malindi.
He further noted that he holds shares in several companies and holds other properties.
The former governor also holds shares in his family businesses which he insisted were not linked to the government.
"My family is in the logistics business and they are extremely busy," the politician stated.
"Sometimes I even struggle to encourage them to help me with social programmes and our foundation."
During the vetting, however, Joho reiterated that should he ascend to the position, he would not display his wealth flamboyantly.
"What I want to assure this honourable committee is that I appreciate certain factors of life and you must have a balance. When you are serving the people, you must first of all make them feel comfortable," he stated.
"You must make them feel you are one of them. So opulence for me is a no. When I am working, I am working, when I am enjoying myself in my own setup at home, that's fine and that's another story. But when am going to Kenyan people my dedication is to work for them."
Joho was responding to a concern from Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah who revealed that his opulence was apparent on the social media site, Tiktok.
He further explained that he owned several watches worth millions of shillings even before joining the public service.
"You asked about valuables of jewelry but I am talking about watches and I have been wearing them even before I became a Member of Parliament. I know how to balance. I don't have to wear it so I can show off, for what? What value will it give to anybody?" He posed.
"I enjoy wearing it (watch). Even this morning, I was debating whether I should wear a watch or not. It was a big debate at home. I said I will cover under my shirt sleeves because I don't have to show off," he told the panel while demonstrating.
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