President William Ruto has nominated Julius Ogamba as the new Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Education, a position formerly held by Ezekiel Machogu before the dissolution of Parliament.
Ogamba, who was Machogu’s running mate in the 2022 Kisii gubernatorial race, has disclosed a net worth of KSh 790 million, making him the wealthiest nominee vetted today.
With over 30 years of experience in law, Ogamba’s substantial wealth comes from his legal practice, real estate investments, tea farms, and other assets.
He also owns a range of vehicles and farm equipment.
His net worth surpasses that of other nominees, including Interior nominee Kithure Kindiki (KSh 694 million), Health nominee Debra Mlongo (KSh 455.85 million), and Land’s nominee Alice Wahome (KSh 327 million).
During his vetting, Ogamba addressed critical issues facing the education sector, including ongoing teacher strikes and the challenges in university funding.
He proposed the establishment of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges across the country, with a focus on creating centres of excellence and promoting education tourism.
He highlighted the potential for attracting students from less advanced countries such as Sudan and Congo to study in Kenya.
Ogamba emphasized his commitment to addressing educational infrastructure challenges, particularly the need for new classrooms to accommodate students transitioning to junior secondary school.
He shared his personal journey, noting that his humble beginnings have shaped his dedication to improving educational opportunities for all children.
The nomination of Ogamba comes at a pivotal time for the Ministry of Education, which has been plagued by scandals and operational difficulties.
If confirmed, Ogamba’s plans for reform and development will be closely watched as he steps into this crucial role.
