My net worth is close to Ksh.1 billion – Kimani Ichung’wah
Kimani Ichung’wah, the Majority Leader of Kenya’s National Assembly, has disclosed that his net worth is approximately Ksh.1 billion.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Ichung’wah explained that he accumulated his wealth through various businesses and jobs he held before joining politics.
During the interview, renowned British-American journalist Mehdi Hassan brought up a statement made by National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed in August 2024. Mohamed had claimed that Ichung’wah’s net worth was Ksh.5 billion. However, Ichung’wah dismissed this figure, clarifying that his actual worth is around 7.7 million US dollars.
“My net worth is close to Ksh.1 billion,” he stated.
The MP was also questioned about the extravagant lifestyle of Kenyan lawmakers. Many of them are among the richest politicians globally, a fact that often frustrates ordinary citizens who struggle with financial hardships.
Ichung’wah responded by saying that the public’s perception of lawmakers flaunting their wealth was misleading. He insisted that many leaders regretted such displays, especially at a time when Kenyans were facing a high cost of living.
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“That is just perception. Don’t compare what someone earns with others. I wasn’t born an MP. I had a different life before I entered politics,” he explained.
“I worked in different organizations and ran businesses for years. People need to stop thinking that those in public service should not accumulate wealth.”
Hassan, known for his tough questioning, pressed Ichung’wah further on the issue of corruption. He specifically asked if the MP had ever paid a bribe.
“I have never paid a bribe in my entire life. Corruption involves both the person giving and the one receiving the bribe. Why do policemen accept bribes? It’s because drivers break the law, maybe by using their phones while driving,” Ichung’wah argued.
He then recalled an incident from when he was 19 years old. “I was once stopped for speeding, but I explained myself and avoided paying any bribe. If you do the right thing, you will never have to pay a bribe,” he added.
The lavish lifestyles of Kenyan MPs became a major point of discussion during last year’s anti-government protests, which took place between June and August.
My net worth is close to Ksh.1 billion – Kimani Ichung’wah
