Ababu Namwamba, Kenya’s nominee for Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has revealed his net worth to be Ksh.500 million.
Speaking during his vetting before the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations, Namwamba outlined his assets, which include residential properties, business interests, shareholdings, and pension.
This marks an increase of Ksh.75 million from two years ago when, during his vetting as Sports Cabinet Secretary, he declared his net worth as Ksh.425 million.
“I have two residents in Nairobi and Busia, business interests, shareholdings, and pension. That has been compounded to Ksh.500 million,” Namwamba stated.
While Namwamba did not disclose the exact dividends from his investments, he confirmed his shareholdings in major corporations such as Safaricom, Cooperative Bank, and Kenya Power.
“Indeed I have provided a statement that I would expect my income from my holdings. I hold some interest in Safaricom, Coop Bank, and Kenya Power, and I have indicated without providing specifics because ordinarily, you would not know the dividends accrued to you in a specific cycle,” he explained.
Namwamba expressed confidence in his suitability for the UNEP position, stating that he is uniquely equipped to represent Kenya at the United Nations.
He also shared details of his briefing with President William Ruto before the nomination was made public.
“The President invited me to a sitting to discuss this responsibility before it was made public. I know exactly what he expects of me in this role because he personally explained it to me,” Namwamba said.
Namwamba’s nomination comes after he was among those dismissed in the June 2024 Cabinet reshuffle, following widespread protests.
He was nominated alongside three other distinguished individuals: former ICT Cabinet Secretary Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u, who is set to serve as High Commissioner to Ghana; Gertrude Angote, designated for Zimbabwe; and former Agriculture CS Andrew Karanja, who will take up the ambassadorial role in Brazil.
The former ICT CS, however, declined the nomination, citing personal reasons.
