Cabinet Secretary Nominee Ababu Namwamba Breaks Down His Sh425 Million Net Worth

Cabinet Secretary nominee for Youth Affairs, Sports and Arts Ababu Namwamba on Friday disclosed that he is worth an estimated Sh425 million accrued from shares, rental incomes, and pension schemes.

Appearing before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments for vetting, Namwamba said he has residential properties in Nairobi and Busia, land, and shares in various companies.

Namwamba, a former Member of Parliament for Bundalangi, also said he owns two high-end vehicles as well as a pair of luxury boats.

“My net worth is Sh425 million. My residence in Nairobi, my country residence in Busia County, a business titled Chairs Bay, two land holdings, shareholdings in Safaricom, Cooperative Bank and Kenya Power and my pension income,” he told the committee.

“I have two motor vehicles; a Range Rover and Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and two water vessels, totaling to Sh425 million.”

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula sought to know whether the two boats are for fishing or just luxury. “Are those fishing boats or luxury boats or a yacht?” Wetang’ula posed.

In his response, Namwamba cited a Luhya proverb, likening their love for boats to that of women.

"When you talk to anybody from the land of my natural domicile, they will tell you that we cherish our boats as much as we cherish our women...and so those are boats for private use,” he said.

Namwamba served as the Chief Administrative Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under President Kenyatta’s administration and as Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs between 2012 and 2013.