Editor's Review

"I wasn't born an MP; I came to the public scene after having another life."

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah has revealed that his net worth is estimated to be close to Ksh1 billion.

Speaking on Al-Jazeera's Head to Head, Ichung’wah clarified that his journey to accumulating wealth was not an overnight success tied to his political career. 

“My estimated wealth is close to Ksh1 billion. Do not compare one person's earnings to those of others. I wasn't born an MP; I came to the public scene after having another life. Before politics, I worked in other organisations and conducted business,” he said.

Ichung’wah also addressed the issue of corruption in Kenya, making a strong distinction between those who give and those who take bribes.

He questioned the motivations behind corrupt actions, particularly in the case of law enforcement officers, citing an incident from his youth when he was stopped by a police officer for speeding.

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"In my entire life, I have never paid a bribe. It takes two to tango. Both the bribe sender and the bribe taker are involved. Why do police officers accept bribes? Perhaps they're talking on the phone because the drivers are at fault.

"Unfortunately, a police officer stopped me for speeding when I was 19 years old. I clarified that there was no need to pay a bribe," he added.

File image of MP Kimani Ichung'wah

Before entering politics, Ichung’wah had a distinguished career in the corporate sector, primarily in finance and banking. 

He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and History from the University of Nairobi. 

Ichung'wah's professional journey includes significant roles in several organizations, including Diversey East Africa Ltd, a company specializing in cleaning and hygiene products. 

He also served as a Senior Accountant at Madison Insurance, overseeing the company’s financial operations. 

Additionally, he held the position of Financial Controller at The Standard Group and later the Director for Finance and Administration at Safex Africa.