Aasai

Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, the nominee for Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, has revealed her family’s net worth stands at Ksh420 million. Appearing before the National Assemblys Committee on Appointments, Cheptumo explained that the wealth includes properties owned by her and her late husband, former Baringo Senator William Cheptumo, with key assets being residential homes in Karen and Nakuru.

During the vetting, Cheptumo stunned the panel by revealing a Ksh250,000 discrepancy from her late husbands estate. She claimed the money was mysteriously deducted by a credit cooperative society, which alleged the late senator had borrowed the amount. “They said he had borrowed Ksh250,000, and already it has been spent,” she said, expressing concern over the lack of clarity in the transaction.

Gender-based violence (GBV) took center stage during her session, with MPs seeking her strategy to tackle the crisis. Cheptumo proposed introducing GBV education in school curriculums and engaging religious and community leaders to create awareness and prevention strategies. She also emphasized strengthening gender desks at police stations with specially trained officers to support survivors.

 On the cultural front, Cheptumo promised to champion the return of Kenyan artefacts held abroad and ensure artists benefit from their creative work. “We must fight for our artists to earn their rightful dues,” she said, while also advocating for increased mentorship programs targeting boys to help curb femicide and violence against women.