Francis Meja
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President William Ruto has nominated nine individuals to fill vacancies at the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Among these nominees, Francis Meja, the former director general of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), emerges as the wealthiest, declaring a net worth of Sh322 million. He significantly outpaces Mary Wanjira Kimonye, the nominee for PSC vice chairperson, whose reported net worth stands at Sh76.24 million. Kimonye, a former Principal Secretary, has experienced a marked decline in her wealth, down from Sh273.8 million in 2020.
She attributes this reduction to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted her shareholding in an airline business that ultimately failed. Consequently, she now carries liabilities exceeding Sh15 million and has reported a partial loss of assets, including the sale of her old car for Sh500,000. During the vetting process, Mr. Meja and his fellow nominees did not provide detailed disclosures regarding the breakdown of their wealth.
Mr. Meja, who served as NTSA's founding director general for six years, confirms that he documented his net worth on the required questionnaire but chose not to divulge the specific sources of his wealth. The other nominees for PSC positions include Dr. Irene Cherotich Asienga, Boya Molu, Joan Andisi Machayo, and Dr. Francis Otieno Owino. Notably, Harun Ali Hassan, the Chief Executive of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), has reported a net worth of Sh59.6 million.
Former Principal Secretary Mwanamaka Amani Mabruki discloses her net worth as Sh120 million, while Dr Asienga, who is a former commissioner at the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), declares Sh102.5 million. Boya Molu, previously a member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), reports a net worth of Sh160 million.
Mr Molu faced rigorous questioning during the vetting process regarding his involvement in the annulled 2017 presidential election.
He clarified that the Supreme Court had annulled the electoral processes rather than the results and asserted that the electoral protocols have since been refined. Joan Andisi Machayo, currently serving as the PSC Deputy Commission Secretary, reports a net worth of Sh204 million. Wealth declarations for individuals aspiring to hold top public offices are mandated by the Constitution and aim to help the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in its fight against corruption.
Nevertheless, Parliament has previously failed to pass legislation that would enhance transparency by allowing broader access to information concerning the income, assets, and liabilities of public office holders. Presently, public officers are required to submit wealth declarations every two years; however, this information remains confidential, accessible only to those with public interest inquiries.