If Parliament approves her nomination, Beatrice Askul Moe will become the first woman from Turkana to become a Cabinet Secretary in the Republic of Kenya.
While appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments during her vetting on Friday, Moe who has been nominated to become the next Cabinet Secretary for East Africa Community (EAC) Affairs and Regional Development declared her net worth at Ksh 100 million.
The CS nominee emphatically emphasized that her net worth of Ksh 100 million largely comprises of family wealth. Coming from a patriarchal society, she further added that family property is considered communal wealth.
“Even if you were to revisit when they wealth was acquired, this has nothing to do with County Government. So this is family worth.”
“There’s nothing about me if you read that net worth properly, it is not mine," she said referring to the documents submitted before the committee. "There’s nothing under my name, but because our culture allows us to live in the manner we live in terms of communal life, family life, that worth is not cash. It is the property we have.”
The nominee has an abundance of experience having previously served as a County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in Turkana under former Governor Josphat Nanok.
The nominee pledged to formulate policies that will benefit people from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
“If appointed, I would incorporate people from arid lands through the people and policies into negotiating their raised issues to the Ministry for policy influence that favours them,” she stated.
“Arid lands, which have faced marginalization for years, reflect badly on us. Specifically based on the stereotype and information in the media. I would ensure that I am present during procurement of relief food to avoid the usual malpractices.”
During the interview, MPs wanted to know why she had a gap in her resume which showed that she proceeded straight to do a degree without a linking diploma. In response, the nominee said that she took 4 years instead of 3 to compensate for the diploma. “I took a course in Certificate in Kubujoi Social Training Institute that was examined by Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). Because I didn’t have a diploma I had to go for degree for four years which was meant to take care of the diploma that was not there,” she defended herself.
On the issue of Migingo Island, the nominee suggested to arrange for a dialogue with both stakeholders to iron out all concerns. She further added that, she would get non-partisan parties to participate to get an amicable resolution.
In response to Likoni MP Mishi Mboko’s question on how she will get youth involved in regional development, the CS nominee said she will come up with an affirmative action. “I think where we are headed now is to have an independent and deliberate policy that will incorporate the young population of this country into every other ministry,” she said.
