EACC Goes After Matiang'i's Wealth

Left to right: CSs Joe Mucheru, Ukur Yattani, Fred Matiang'i and PS Macharia Kamau.
Left to right: Ex-CSs Joe Mucheru, Ukur Yattani, Fred Matiang'i and PS Macharia Kamau.
File

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has written to the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, seeking certified copies of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i wealth declaration. 

An insider at the EACC confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that the commission wants Koskei to publicise the former civil servant's declarations of income, assets, and liabilities.

According to the insider, the commission is keen on establishing how Matiang'i's wealth grew over the ten years he served under President Uhuru Kenyatta as a CS. 

EACC CEO Mr. Twalib Mbarak, CBS addressing attendees during the EAAACA Annual General Meeting at Safari Park Hotel on March 17, 2022.
EACC CEO Mr. Twalib Mbarak, CBS addressing attendees during the EAAACA Annual General Meeting at Safari Park Hotel on March 17, 2022.
EACC

The commission's chief executive, Twalib Mbarak, was said to be investigating the ex-CS and would use the data as evidence.  

Through a letter dated Monday, February 27, the EACC indicated that they had upped their investigation pursuant to Section 30(1)(4)(b) of the Public Officers Ethics Act. 

"The Commission wishes to request for Certified Copies of Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities forms for years 2012 to 2022, including the initial and final declarations," the letter signed by Mbarak highlights. 

In addition to that the Commission's chief executive delegated EACC officers Abdul Low and Paul Mugwe to spearhead the case by collecting the documents from Koskei's office at Harambee House. 

Matiang'i's Troubles 

This is the latest challenge that the former CS will have to contend with since an alleged raid by the police at his home on Wednesday night, February 8. 

Both the police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) distanced themselves from the raid that was condemned by Azimio leader Raila Odinga. 

A week later, DCI officers raided Matiang'i's home in an operation that was supposedly meant to retrieve CCTV footage that would help prove that they did not raid the home on February 8. 

The DCI later issued summons to the former CS requiring him to appear at their headquarters to record a statement to aid with investigations into the alleged night raid of his residence. 

However, Matiang'i snabbed the summons with his lawyer Danston Omari arguing that his client was never directly served by the DCI. 

DCI boss Mohamed Amin addressing the media at his office in Nairobi County on February 9, 2023.
DCI boss Mohamed Amin addressing the media at his office in Nairobi County on February 9, 2023.
Twitter
DCI

Matiang'i's Wealth 

According to Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), Fred Matiang's monthly basic salary as a cabinet secretary was Ksh924,000, excluding allowances.

Apart from his monthly salary, Matiangi also enjoyed a number of allowances and state benefits that came with his office as a cabinet secretary.

His other sources of income at the time included dividends, lands and plantations, Real Estate property, and multimillion businesses.

Furthermore, the former CS owns a palatial mansion in his home county of Nyamira that is estimated to be worth millions as well as a multi-million mansion in Karen where he resides with his family.