During his vetting session, Eric Mugaa, the nominee for Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation, disclosed a net worth of Sh31 million, a figure that intrigued MPs given his relatively young age. Speaker Moses Wetangula remarked, “You have achieved significantly more than many of your peers.”
Mugaa attributed his financial success to investments in agriculture, explaining, “I come from a farming region and have invested in land, growing crops such as tea, coffee, bananas, and miraa.”
The vetting process before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments included a lighter moment when Junet Mohamed inquired if Mugaa owned a car. Mugaa explained that he had opted to invest his money in farming rather than purchasing a vehicle.
Wetangula posed a hypothetical scenario, asking if Mugaa would accept a car from a major contractor in the water sector if appointed. Mugaa firmly responded with a “no,” reaffirming his commitment to ethical standards.
North Imenti MP Abdul Rahim Dawood pointed out that Igembe South MP John Paul did not own a vehicle when first elected in 2013. Dawood noted that if appointed, Mugaa would benefit from the perks of a Cabinet Secretary, including an official car with an engine capacity exceeding 3,000cc and an Sh18 million car loan.
Throughout the session, Wetangula clarified that the MP had no obligation to defend the Cabinet nominee. When Junet Mohamed asked Mugaa about his dream car, Wetangula intervened, indicating that the nominee was not required to answer that question.
