'I'm worth Ksh.300 million,' Tourism CS nominee Peninah Malonza says

Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Cabinet Secretary (CS) nominee Peninah Malonza has an estimated net worth of Ksh.300 million.

Malonza, who once served as Kitui County's deputy governor from between 2013 and 2017, made the revelation in Parliament on Wednesday when she appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Appointments for vetting.

She said that she accrued the wealth by making property investments across the country, purchasing shares in SACCOS and from her agricultural endeavours. 

"My financial net worth is Ksh.300 million. I have a breakdown; Ksh.240 million is prime land that is in Mombasa, Kajiado, Kitui and Nairobi. I have shares in four SACCOS worth Ksh.30 million in total," said Malonza.

"I also have three motor vehicles worth Ksh.10 million. The other Ksh.20 million is from my farm produce and livestock that I keep."

Malonza's reported net worth, on paper, now makes her the richest woman nominated to the Cabinet by President William Ruto so far.

Apart from Malonza, Ruto also nominated Kandara MP Alice Wahome, ex-Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and Senator Soipan Tuya for various ministerial dockets.

During their respective vetting interviews, Wahome, Jumwa and Tuya claimed to be worth Ksh.218 million, Ksh.100 million and Ksh.156 million respectively.

When asked by the vetting committee how she plans to better Kenya's tourism sector should she assume the docket, Malonza noted that she intends to reposition Kenya as an attractive tourism destination by diversifying what Kenya has to offer in the field.

"One of the strategies that I will do is rebranding Kenya or rather repositioning it. How do we reposition Kenya? Reaching out toour traditional markets there. Also reaching out to new emerging markets like China and Japan," she said.

"I will also develop new niche products. I know traditionally we have sold tourism products of our beaches and wildlife but currently we have the new millennia who are really interested in adventure and sport and also in cultural activities, and this is one of the strategies I will be looking to bring on if the vetting committee approves my nomination."