Govt Comes Out Firing: Uhuru Asked For Vehicles Worth Ksh140 Million
Mwaura revealed that the office was provided with 14 vehicles, all fuelled and maintained at State House.
Marvin Chege 
Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura has revealed that while the office of former President Uhuru Kenyatta confessed to having been provided with vehicles, the number provided by Kanze Dena, his Director of Communications, was different.
In a statement to newsrooms, Mwaura revealed that the office was provided with 14 vehicles, all fuelled and maintained at State House.
"They also alleged falsely that their fuel cards have been blocked. We, however, put it on record that the vehicles are fuelled through the State House Master Card. Our records show that several vehicles were fuelled as recently as May 15, 2024.
"The vehicles are also routinely maintained and serviced at State House. These services have been offered as recently as on April 5, May 7, May 8 and May 15, 2024," stated Mwaura.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta driving himself to Nyayo Stadium in a G Wagon to inspect the late Daniel Arap Moi's funeral preparations on February 9, 2020. /FACEBOOK
The spokesperson in President William Ruto's administration also denounced claims that the vehicles were old and not deserving of the retired President, clarifying that they were purchased between the years 2020-2022, thus befitting Uhuru's status as Kenya's fourth President.
According to Mwaura, the cars include 2 Range Rover Autobiography, 2 Range Rover Sport, a Mercedes-Benz S600L, an Armoured Land Cruiser V8 and 4 Prados.
"Moreover, the Office of the Third Retired President has sent a request for 4 vehicles whose cost is a staggering Ksh140 million.
"They are Range Rover Vogue (First Edition) at Ksh51.3 million, Mercedes Benz S500 worth Ksh66.4 million, Toyota Land Cruiser ZX-VXRK6 worth Ksh22.5 million and Toyota Fortuner at Ksh10.6 million," added the statement.
Office
As per Mwaura's statement, in 2012/2013, the government purchased an office of the retired President, located office in Nyari, Nairobi, the same office the late President Mwai Kibaki used for nine years, between 2013 and 2022.
"It is, therefore, a suitable office for any retired President. By rejecting this office and preferring that the government leases his own private home, the Third Retired President is inviting the government to violate procurement laws, regulations and procedures," Mwaura slammed.
He accused Uhuru of aspiring "to be both a landlord and a tenant at the same time", adding "It is an adventure that the government cannot engage in as this is a serious conflict of interest."
Staff
Mwaura also noted that while Uhuru's office confirmed that their staff are on the government payroll, the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act specifies that a former President should have 34 staff. According to him, 33 are in office.
The Act also specified that staff who work in the Office of the Retired President must be public servants.
Regarding Dena and George Kariuki, Mwaura disclosed that Uhuru did not forward their names to the State House Comptroller for processing.
Budget
Mwaura affirmed that the government diligently pays the salaries of the retired President, his staff and their allowances, and that State House also maintains and fuels the 14 vehicles, and facilitates all travel for the former President, both local and international.
"It is critical to point out that the Act provides that only four foreign trips should be fully paid for and for a maximum of 14 days. As for daily subsistence when on official duty, Public Service Commission and National Treasury regulations apply," he added.
Mwaura also affirmed that the retired President's budget is under the State House Comptroller, who is the accounting officer of the State House, including the Office of the Third Retired President.
The Comptroller originates the budget and defends it in Parliament, thus the government spokesperson believed that there "was therefore no compelling obligation to seek concurrence on the budget with the Office of the Retired President."
