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Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) director of voter registration and election operations Immaculate Kassait who is poised to be the country’s first data commissioner is worth Sh42.6 million.

 Kassait whose appointment has been approved by the departmental committee on Communications, Information and Innovations told legislators that her wealth comes from a number of income generating ventures.

According to documents supplied to the MPs, her source of income during this calendar year preceding her nomination include her gross salary and allowances amounting to Sh17.7 million for the last two years, Tiaty Honey Enterprises Sh30,000 per month and dividends from saccos Sh390,000.

Other sources of income include Sh100,000 monthly allowance from a spouse, rental income from matrimonial property Sh54,000 and Bridge Facilitator Consultancy fee of Sh720,000 paid once.

“She estimated her financial net worth at Sh42,611,067,” reads the committee report.

On Tuesday, the committee chaired by Marakwet West MP William Kissang approved her nomination and asked the House to approve her.

Stipulated standards

Following the approval, the house is today expected to debate her nomination and either approve or reject it.

President Uhuru Kenyatta nominated her for the said position after she scored 80.1 percent beating Thomas Oganga Odhiambo who scored 75.1 percent and Murshid Abdalla who scored 69.6 percent.

“Having considered the approval of the nominee, the departmental committee on Communications, Information and Innovations recommends that this House approves the nomination of Ms Immaculate Kassait, MBS for appointment as Data Commissioner by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya,” reads the report.

Kassait now awaits the approval of the entire House before Uhuru formally appoints her.

Her nomination for the said post came even as it emerged the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) challenged her suitability for the job.

ICJ said Kassait did not meet the standards stipulated under chapter six of the constitution owing to her track record and performance as an employee of the IEBC.

In the memorandum to parliament, ICJ also raised concerns that the nominee could not be said to be either capable of demonstrating that she could exercise authority in a professional manner nor did she possess the ability to act independently.