Mercy Wanjau: President Ruto’s Richest Female Cabinet Nominee

Mercy Wanjau, who was nominated for the position of Secretary to the Cabinet, is the wealthiest woman among President Ruto’s Cabinet nominees with a net worth of Sh475.4 million.

Appearing before the National Assembly’s Appointments Committee for vetting on Saturday, Wanjau said her wealth includes land and buildings valued at Sh380.4 million, shares stocks and deposits totaling Sh89 million, and motor vehicles worth Sh3 million.

“My financial net worth as disclosed is Sh475.4 million and it is comprised as follows; land and buildings at about Sh380.4 million, shares, stocks and deposits at about Sh89 million, agriculture in the form of large commercial farming of trees at about Sh6 million and four motor vehicles, enjoined property valued at about Sh3 to Sh4 million, they are fairly old,” she said.

The former acting Director-General of the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) said her properties are distributed in Nairobi, Laikipia and Kilifi counties and another residential apartment in Johannesburg, South Africa.

“Regarding the land and buildings, I own these properties in the community of properties, because am married, they are in Nairobi (some apartments and the home that we leave in), in Nanyuki, Malindi. We also have an apartment in South Africa, Johannesburg,” she added.

Out of the 24 Cabinet nominees, Wanjau’s net worth places her at number 13, with the first 12 slots being occupied by male nominees.

Rebecca Miano, the Cabinet Secretary nominee for the East African Community is the second richest woman on the list with net worth of Sh397 million followed Tourism CS nominee Peninah Malonza (Sh300 million), Water CS nominee Alice Wahome (Sh218 million), and nominee for Labor Florence Bore (Sh200 million).