Cabinet Secretary in charge of Health Mutahi Kagwe, is by many yardsticks, a man of means. Even at that, as is inherent of the so called bureaucrats in the system, a position in government only serves as an avenue to mint more money from the public coffers.
While being vetted following an invitation and call of duty to join President Uhuru Kenyatta’s cabinet, the former Nyeri Senator in a document tabled before parliament said he was worth Sh667.8 million and he attributed this massive wealth to his ‘hard work’ majorly from his two companies; Public Relations firm Tell-Em and a research agency TNS RMS East Africa.
“I am worth what I am worth as a result of my hard work. I started doing feasibility studies in my room at Hall 2 at the University of Nairobi and for over 40 years I must have made some money,” he said in those documents.
Kagwe also owns other assets. During the last Jamhuri day, President Uhuru Kenyatta alluded to the issue of conflict of interests. In his address, he made a remark that was interpreted to be targeting to lawmakers who acted as lawyers for leaders and the creme de la creme facing corruption charges.
“The position is simple; you either serve the public in the role you signed up for or you serve the republic as a private practitioner. It is a profound conflict of interest to do both,” he said.
Months later, his cabinet minister is on the spot for ostensibly using his own company to conduct business with the government.
It must not have escaped many that there are covid-19 adverts sponsored by the Ministry of health/government of Kenya. Sources intimate that all Coronavirus adverts are allegedly done by Kagwe’s PR firm, Tell-Em, and that her daughter is the one currently overseeing the operations.
In a report tabled by Health PS Susan Mochache in parliament to give breakdown on the ministry has spent Ksh1.3 billion received from World Bank in the fight against Covid-19, the ministry of health has spent Sh70 million on its communications in the past few weeks. This includes advertising.
Kagwe’s PR company Tell-Em specializes in strategic planning, media relations, stakeholder engagement, government lobbying, corporate communication, crisis communication, and event management services. The firm’s overall operations are under Mr Joel Chacha who is the firm’s General Manager.
Sources also allege that the former Minister for Information and Communications has a knack for business. Apparently, this is the reason why Gatundu MP Moses Kuria is picking fights with him.
There's no story that cannot be told. We cover the stories that others don't want to be told, we bring you all the news you need. If you have tips, exposes or any story you need to be told bluntly and all queries write to us [email protected] also find us on Telegram
