Olaide WaheedYou cannot become a politician in Kenya if you are not rich. As a matter of fact Kenya is not alone in this trend; most other countries require you to attain a level of success before joining the political class. Looking at the list of richest MPs in Kenya you can start to understand just how much wealth a person needs to have before openly showing his hand, and expressing his interest in running for a seat in Kenya’s parliament.
As with all political offices, MPs need to have money so that they can be influential. You need money to make yourself marketable as a politician, and to win the hearts and admiration of the people. Do not forget that Members of Parliament (MPs) in Kenya are those who are supposed to represent citizens in parliament, highlighting their pleas, and passing legislation to make their lives better.
Sometimes, you need to show that you will indeed hold the interest of the people to heart, and that could mean spending money on projects, doing some philanthropy, and showering the people with money.
Top 10 Richest MPs In Kenya
1. Hon. Duale Aden Bare
Net worth: Kshs 2 billion
Honorable Aden Duale, who represents the good people of Garissa Township Constituency is a man of vast resources. He has had a blistering career, and has established himself as an astute administrator. He started as a school teacher, but left after only two terms. He then joined the public service as a clerk, but he soon quit afterwards.
He joined the family business; he is well grounded in livestock farming, animal husbandry, and packaging and marketing of livestock products. He is an accomplished business strategist; he has headed several organizations including the Livestock Marketing Society of Kenya. He was also a director of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation from 1999 to 2003.
He became an MP in 2013 under the United Republican Party (URP), but then he changed parties and won the seat again in 2017 under the Jubilee Party. His influence has been increasing steadily; he served as majority leader of the National Assembly.
2. Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah Anthony
Net Worth: Kshs 500 million
Honorable Kimani Ichung’wah representing the good people of Kikuyu constituency in the Kenyan parliament is estimated to be worth Kshs 500 million. While that figure is less than half the worth of the man who is judged to be the richest MP in Kenya, it is still quite a hefty sum indeed. Kimani Ichung’wah was born and raised up in Gikambura village, Karai Location.
Kimani Ichung’wah had a good career in the private industry; he worked with Diversey E.a Ltd and Madison Insurance as a Senior Accountant. He then worked with Standard Group Ltd as Head of Treasury and deputy to the group financial Controller. He also worked with SafexAfrica as Director of Finance and Administration in 2008.
He was elected into the parliament to represent Kikuyu constituency on The National Alliance (TNA) and Jubilee Coalition ticket in 2013.
3. Hon. Mohamed Ali
Net worth: Kshs 400 million
Hon. Mohamed Ali, representing the good people of Nyali Constituency, is a man of great influence and wealth. He was born on August 4, 1979 in Isiolo County, and he attended News Link College of Journalism, and then Moi University where he acquired a bachelor of science (BSc). He had a great career in media; he worked at Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) as a TV producer, and then Pwani FM as a producer/radio presenter, and then he was the chief investigations editor of (KTN).
He then became a member of parliament, representing Nyali Constituency.
4. Hon. Mariru Patrick Kariuki
Net worth: Kshs 200 million
Hon. Mariru Kariuki representing the good people of Laikipia West constituency, is a man of considerable wealth. He was born on 5 December 1945, and has a background in marketing. He worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, and served as an assistant minister of Production and Marketing at that ministry. He is also a trained lawyer and a seasoned investor.
5. Hon. Mawathe Julius Musili
Net worth: $150 million
Hon. Mawathe Julius Musili, representing the good people of Embakasi South made his millions from working in the education sector in America. He worked at the Dallas County Community College in Texas in USA, and then at the LeCroy Centre for Educational Telecommunications, also in Dallas in Texas, USA.
He then relocated to Kenya on the back of an offer from the Orange Democratic Movement of Kenya where he worked as a Deputy Director and Logistics Officer. He later worked with Telkom Kenya as a Head of Customer Care.
He was elected into the parliament in 2017; under Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM-K).
6. Hon. Odhiambo Millie Grace Akoth
Net worth: Kshs 100 million
Hon. Millie Odhiambo also known as (The iron lady) represents the good people of Suba North. Before coming into parliament she had a background in law. She was born on November 1, 1966, and attended the University of Nairobi. She made her money working as a lawyer; she worked at the attorney general’s office where she practiced civil litigation, before she switched to human rights law, with an emphasis on women and children.
She also received plenty of patronage when she served as chairperson of Coalition on Violence Against Women-Kenya. She won her seat in parliament in 2007 under the Orange Democratic Movement.
7. Hon. Shollei Gladys Jepkosgei
Net Worth: Kshs 100 million
Hon. Shollei Gladys Jepkosgei who is also known as (Boss Shollei) represents Uasin Gishu constituency of Kenya. She was born on the 27th May, 1974, and attended the University of Nairobi, University of Cape Town, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
She made her money working as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, and then as Kenya’s Deputy Chief Election Officer, and then as chief registrar of the judiciary of Kenya. She has extensive investments in Agriculture.
8. Hon Okoth, Benard Otieno
Net worth: Kshs 80 Million
Hon. Benard Okoth, representing the good people of Kibra Constituency is estimated to be worth around 80 million Kshs, making him one of the richest MPs in Kenya. He made his money working in several different private enterprises, and then working as the constituency manager for Kibra Constituency. He then went on succeed his elder brother who was MP for the same constituency.
9. Hon. Arati, Paul Simba
Net worth: Kshs 50 million
Hon. Paul, Simba Arati, representing the good people of Dagoretti North constituency was born on September 28, 1981. He attended Nyamache Secondary School and Suneka High School, and also attended the Guangzhou_University. He is the MP of Dagoretti North at the national assembly, and he has been very active in issues about pollution and congestion.
10. Hon. Chege, Maitu Sabina Wanjiru
Net worth: Kshs 20 million
Hon. Sabina Chege representing the good people of Murang’a. She was born on 22 August 1978, and she attended University of Nairobi. She had a monetized career in television and movies, and she was also a radio presenter. She now serves the people of Murang’a County as their representative in parliament.
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Finally
As you might have noticed from this list of the richest MPs in Kenya, you need to have tens or hundreds of millions to be able to buy your way into the Kenyan political establishment. Most of these people attained their wealth and status in the private sector, before becoming politicians.