Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano is facing increased scrutiny amid allegations that she has made substantial offshore investments since joining President William Ruto’s Cabinet.
Multiple sources within government and oversight bodies have raised concerns that Ms. Miano, alongside other senior officials, may have quietly channelled significant sums into foreign business ventures and offshore accounts — particularly in the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring East African countries.
Although the claims remain unverified, they have triggered public debate over what critics describe as a growing culture of unchecked wealth accumulation among top government officials, even as ordinary Kenyans face escalating taxes and economic hardship.
Insiders allege that Ms. Miano has rapidly risen to become one of the wealthiest members of the Ruto administration — fuelling speculation over the source of her financial expansion since the Kenya Kwanza coalition took office.
This perceived enrichment has only heightened public frustration over elite impunity and lack of transparency within government ranks.
Calls are mounting for anti-corruption agencies and transparency watchdogs to launch investigations into the allegations. Civil society groups have also urged for comprehensive asset declarations by Cabinet members and senior public officers to be made public and regularly audited.
Critics warn that, if confirmed, the offshore investments would signal a deeper governance crisis — one where powerful individuals leverage their positions to funnel wealth abroad, even as sectors like tourism and wildlife conservation continue to suffer chronic underfunding.
Repeated attempts to get a response from Ms. Miano were unsuccessful, and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife is yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.
As pressure builds, demands are growing for forensic financial audits to determine whether any public resources were misappropriated or laundered through offshore entities.
The allegations now add to the perception that corruption remains a persistent challenge for the Kenya Kwanza administration, with several Cabinet officials increasingly viewed as living far beyond their declared means.
