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Interior Cabinet Secretary nominee Kithure Kindiki has pledged to fight for the welfare of police officers across the country.

The renowned lawyer who appeared before a committee on appointments on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, vowed to tackle mental illness issues amongst police officers.

The former Tharaka Nithi senator who believes that mental illness amongst officers is caused by work-related stress among others affirmed that he would fully capitalize on and expand the wellness and counselling unit to help officers get the help they need.

“I believe the issues around mental illness in police service are linked to work-related stress, in this connection if I am approved by this honourable house and appointed by the president subsequently,” he stated.

He added: “I intend to quip, expand, and fully capitalize the wellness and counselling unit, which I intend to link with the soon-to-be-established Kenya police service hospital and the Kenya prisons service hospital,”

Kindiki further reiterated that the hospitals which are at an advanced stage and will be available in two months would help prevent cases of a psychiatric nature that lead to mental illness and fatal accidents that involve officers and their families.

He additionally highlighted that the incidents of fatal accidents involving officers and their families were due to low morale, low remuneration and poor working conditions.

“These incidents are caused by low morale, low remuneration and poor working conditions. I intend to vigorously fight for the welfare and improve terms of service for police officers and prison officers because of the critical nature of the law they play in securing our country,” Kindiki added.

Kindiki reveals networth

Kindiki had earlier revealed that he was worth Ksh544 million.

He disclosed that he made his money through his practice in law and other businesses.

“I am an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, I practice law. I am also a businessman running a number of SME businesses. I am also a consultant for local and international organisations,” Kindiki said.

“My wealth is made up of rented buildings (Ksh165 million), bank deposits (Ksh50 million), investments in shares and deposits in five different SACCOs.”

The accomplished lawyer was the sixth Cabinet nominee to appear before the committee.

Yesterday, Prime Cabinet Secretary nominee Musalia Mudavadi said his net worth stands at Ksh4 billion.

The former Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader was the first to appear before the panel chaired by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

Justin Muturi, the nominee for the position of Attorney-General, revealed that he is worth Ksh700 million while Garissa Township MP Aden Duale, who has been nominated for the position of Defence Cabinet Secretary, said he is worth Ksh851 million, making him the second wealthiest in the group that was interviewed yesterday.

Former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua — who has been earmarked for the position of the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary — said he is worth Ksh420 million while Kandara MP Alice Wahome, the Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary nominee is worth Sh218 million, the lowest in yesterday’s cohort.

Others scheduled to face the panel today are National Treasury CS nominee Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, Aisha Jumwa (Public Service and Gender), David Chirchir (Energy) and Moses Kuria (Trade, Investment & Industry).