I’m Worth Ksh842 Million - Agriculture CS Nominee Mutahi Kagwe

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary nominee Mutahi Kagwe announced that he has a Ksh842 million net worth mostly in real estate. 

The 67-year old made the declaration while appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments, which is chaired by Speaker Moses Wetangula. 

The former Health CS is set to succeed Andrew Karanja, whose tenure at the helm of the country’s food security lasted only four months following his appointment in August 2024. 

The National Assembly queried Kagwe on multiple issues in a bid to evaluate his suitability to head one of Kenya’s key economic sectors. Wealth declaration is also a standard procedure in ensuring transparency in governance and weeding out corrupt leaders from assuming office.

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During his vetting into cabinet in 2019, CS Kagwe declared his net worth at Ksh668 million. He revealed to the committee ownership of two entities, a public relations company Tell-Em and a research agency, TNS RMS East Africa, which made him a combined Ksh5.4 million profit in 2019 alone.

At the time, the former Nyeri Senator elaborated that Tell-Em and TNS RMS East Africa made Ksh2.87 million and Ksh2.625 million, respectively.

The seasoned politician further highlighted his 40-year career, noting that he had made the money to justify his massive net worth.

“I am worth what I am worth as a result of my hard work. I started doing feasibility studies in my room at Hall 2 at the University of Nairobi, and for over 40 years I must have made some money,” the veteran politician told the committee.

In 2019, Kagwe was ranked as Kenya’s second wealthiest cabinet secretary only behind Simon Chelugui who was head of the Labour Ministry, at the time.

The former Nyeri Senator holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Insurance) degree from the University of Nairobi and an MBA from the United States International University (USIU).

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He served as the MP for Mukurwe-ini between 2002 and 2007, a seat he won on a National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) ticket before he was ousted by Kabando wa Kabando.

Kagwe was the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Finance, Trade, and Tourism before he was appointed by the late President Mwai Kibaki as the Cabinet Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in 2005. 

His era at the ICT ministry marked significant changes in the country’s communications landscape. It was during his tenure that Kenya ditched satellite technology and embraced fibre optic cables. 

Kagwe, together with then Permanent Secretary Dr. Bitange Ndemo, spearheaded the construction of the transformational East African Marine System (T.E.A.M.S.), the first Fibre optic project for Eastern Africa.

Kagwe is married to Anne Wanjiku Mutahi, a daughter to former Cabinet Minister John Michuki. Mrs Mutahi is one of the heirs to Michuki’s vast estate which includes the famous Windsor Golf Resort. She previously served as a presidential advisor, under the reign of President Uhuru Kenyatta.