Former Kenya Power Boss Ben Chumo has declared his wealth to the National Assembly’s Finance and National Planning Committee.
The former boss revealed his wealth while he appeared in-front of the vetting committee on Monday.
According to Mr. Chimo,”My estimated net worth stands at about Sh212m. I can’t say I am a rich man in relative terms…[but] I can support my family.”
Just last week, Mr Chumo was charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to commit economic crimes and failure to comply with procurement laws in the purchase of faulty transformers worth Sh450 million during his tenure as Kenya Power boss.
But according to Mr Chumo, the alleged faulty transformers were procured in 2011/12 Financial Year, long before he was appointed the chief executive.
In his statement Mr Chumo said, “I was appointed as the CEO in 2013. When I assumed responsibility…, we made a decision to stop payment for the transformers. However, the supplier moved to court and there was an out of court settlement.”
He further added saying, “Again, when the money was paid to the supplier, I had already left the office…I participated in the cancellation of the irregular tender.”
President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated Ben Chumo for the position of Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) chairman in June.
The former Kenya Power boss was picked from a list of big names who had been shortlisted for the position, including vice-chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC) Peter Ole Nkurayia and former Institute of Certified Public Accounts of Kenya (ICPAK) chief executive Patrick Ngumi.
Others were Fred Abednego Odhiambo, Okuku Nakitari Humphrey, Simeon Pkiyach Pkatey, Irene Wangui Gikemi, Samuel Kibati Osoro, Ambassador Ephraim W.Ngare, Lyn Cherop Mangich, Dr Jane Musangi Mutua and Dr Abdirizak Arale Nunow.
Just before his Vetting the MPs saying that they will not be party to the exercise over his criminal case in court.
This came following his alleged criminal charges over abuse of office, the committee chaired by Kipkelion East MP Joseph Limo had scheduled the vetting for on Monday after advertising for public memoranda on the suitability of Mr Chumo.
Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir, a member of the Finance and National Planning committee has already pronounced his misgivings about Mr Chumo’s vetting.
In his statement Shabbir said, “I refuse to be part of this ill thought out exercise. It will only harden those who support corruption,”
He further urged his colleagues to boycott the exercise as well.
Mr Chumo will not be the first one to be vetted by MPs despite facing an active case in court.
In November 2013, the House approved the name of former Naivasha MP, Mr John Mututho to chair the National Agency for the Campaign against Drug Abuse (NACADA) despite having an active criminal case in court.
Mr Mututho had been accused of falsely presenting documents that Countryside Supplies limited, a company associated with him, had paid tax on bedside lockers and therefore deserves a refund of Sh41.3 million from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
But the House committee National Security Administration then chaired by former Tiaty MP Asman Kamama vetted him.
But despite the Kamama committee recommending that he was unfit to hold public office, MPs ganged up in numbers and amended the committee’s report and recommend to the president that he be given the job, a decision the president upheld.
“The committee is of the view that Mututho is best suited for the job, save for the criminal charges he faces in court. However, the committee recommends that the National Assembly rejects his nomination,” the committee’s report read.
Once he qualifies Mr Chumo will to be taking office as the next SRC Chairman.