Ruto Holds Talks With Uhuru, Issues Way Forward
Following the talks, Ruto formed a team that will be led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei which will look into the issues raised by Uhuru
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
President William Ruto on Tuesday, June 11 held a conversation with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta following an entire day of squabbles regarding the latter's retirement package.
As shared by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the two aimed to solve the fiasco that saw their offices take centre stage in the country.
Following the talks, Ruto formed a team that will be led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei which will look into the issues raised by Uhuru, including the location of his retirement office which has been among the main issues of concern.
State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed during a past press briefing. /FILE
"This morning, President William Ruto had a conversation with his predecessor in office, the 4th President, President Uhuru Kenyatta, regarding concerns about facilitating the functioning of the retired President’s office.
"President Ruto has consequently constituted a team, led by the Head of Public Service, to immediately address all the issues raised, including the location of the retired President’s office and the attendant staff establishment," read the statement in part.
The talks come after the two offices spent all of Monday, June 11 going at each other, with the office of the 4th President denying the government's claims over the benefits extended to Uhuru in retirement.
Uhuru Office Position
Through spokesperson, Kanze Dena, the office denounced claims that State House had allocated Uhuru a fully-furnished office space and brand new cars complete with fueling financed by the state.
"On the issue of the retired President enjoying a fully furnished and maintained office space as alluded to in the statement, this took us by surprise because it is public knowledge that the State House has been very clear on the position of the office in Nyari as the only office that the President should use based on the fact the office has been bought by the government," Dena told the press.
"The statement that the former President enjoys a fully furnished and maintained office of his choice provided by the government is incorrect. To date, the office matter has never been addressed and has never been resolved."
Regarding the state of the vehicles, Dena disclosed that Uhuru was using the same vehicles he left with following the inauguration ceremony of President Ruto on September 13, 2022, where he handed over the instruments of power to his former junior.
Additionally, Dena also decried foul play on her part professionally as State House declined to renew her contract as Director of Communications in Uhuru's office and that of a colleague, without an explanation given.
"There is also the issue of unceremonious withdrawal and intimidation of staff via phone calls at midnight. We have provided a list of staff serving in the office of the retired President and we would also like to clarify that the list Mr. Mwaura presented in his statement had the wrong tally," she added.
Government Position
However, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura countered by revealing that the office was provided with 14 vehicles, all fuelled and maintained at State House.
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," he said in his statement.
Further, Mwaura revealed that 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.
Collage of Office of the 4th President Director of Communications, Kanze Dena and Government Spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura. /OFFICE OF THE 4TH PRESIDENT.ISAAC MWAURA
"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."
