Ruto CS Embroiled In Battle With MP Over Ksh120 Million Karen Mansion

A first-time Member of Parliament (MP) and a Cabinet Secretary in President William Ruto's administration were on Friday, June 16 locked in a battle over a palatial home in Karen, Nairobi County.

The standoff began when the unnamed MP alleged that the CS had forcefully moved into the Karen mansion which was valued at Ksh120 million.

The MP's wife, who spoke to the media, revealed that she sent a team of workers for a cleaning exercise at the mansion after the CS had expressed interest in purchasing it.

She maintained that she encountered heavy security presence in Karen much to her surprise, with the contractor allegedly manhandled and barred from accessing the premises, which she alleged was occupied by the unidentified Cabinet Secretary (CS).

"There is no agreement signed whatsoever. There is no transaction that has taken place. This house still belongs to me and my husband.

"Why it is occupied right now, I am as shocked as you are!" The MP's wife stated.

She accused the CS of taking advantage of their absence to move to the house illegally, further revealing that the Cabinet member had reportedly approached the MP with an offer to buy the house for Ksh90 million.

However, on turning down the offer, the house owner maintained that the house was priced at Ksh120 million.

"The CS showed interest in the house. She even came to my home and gave us an offer of Ksh90 million. We told her the house's price is Ksh120 million.

"Thereafter, I travelled to the US for my daughter's graduation. When I came back on Wednesday, June 14, I brought my people to come and clean my house and mow the lawn. To my shock, the house was already occupied," she added.

Police intervened during the standoff and after which, the MP had filed a police report as well as contemplated suing the CS for trespassing and damages.

The landlord also disclosed that the CS had travelled out of the country at the time of the standoff. This is as the CS was yet to speak on the allegations levelled against her by the time of publication.

According to a gazette notice by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), a cabinet secretary (CS) gets a monthly salary of Ksh924,000.

This is broken down to a basic salary of Ksh554,400, a house allowance of Ksh200,000 per month and a monthly market adjustment of Ksh169,000.

President William Ruto with Cabinet Secretaries at State House. /FILE