Clash of the Titans: Of Presidents, Their Spokespeople and our Money
The tiff between Retired President Kenyatta's office and President Ruto's State House popped up on our screens about two years ago as a spin off to the disparity between the two leaders post-handshake. Recently, it escalated with Former Statehouse Spokesperson Kanze Dena taking to the media to lay forth their grievances. What followed was the Government Spokesperson clapping back with a statement to prove her otherwise.
In a recent turn of events, President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, engaged in discussions aimed at resolving a standoff over retirement benefits. The negotiations, which followed behind-the-scenes interactions involving Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, signify a significant attempt to address grievances and ensure the smooth functioning of Kenyatta's post-presidential office.
Reports reveal that President Ruto and Mr. Kenyatta had an extensive phone conversation, which was preceded by a meeting between Kenyatta and Mr. Koskei. Among Kenyatta's requests were the use of his residence on Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi as an office, additional security for his family's properties, and an increase in staff. These discussions culminated in the formation of a team led by Mr. Koskei to tackle the various issues at hand, including the location of Kenyatta's office, staff requirements, and security concerns.
The standoff arose when Kenyatta, through his spokesperson Kanze Dena, raised concerns about the delay in disbursing over one billion Kenyan Shillings allocated to his office over the past two financial years. Dena accused State House of withholding funds, citing the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, which outlines entitlements to former presidents. Despite allocations totaling hundreds of millions, Kenyatta's office claimed to have received minimal financial support, hampering its operations.
On the issue of Mr Kenyatta’s office, Ms Dena pointed out that State House has been clear that Mr Kenyatta should use the Nyari office based on the fact that it was bought by the government. “It is important to note that the Nyari office was selected by the late President Mwai Kibaki as a suitable office space for himself.”
Furthermore, Kenyatta's office highlighted challenges in accessing official vehicles, with requests for new vehicles exceeding budgetary limits.
“The year is ending without the office having any access to this allocation. The total amount for the two years that we have not had access to is approximately 1 billion Kenya shillings,” she said.
State House countered these claims, asserting that vehicles were being fueled and maintained, contradicting allegations of negligence.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura dismissed the claims, saying “they also falsely alleged that their fuel cards have been blocked. We, however, put it on record that the vehicles are fueled through the State House. Our records show that several vehicles were fueled as recently as May 15, 2024.”
On the issue of office space...
“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. The Third Retired President wants to be both a landlord and a tenant at the same time," read part of the government spokesperson's statement.
The involvement of key figures such as the Head of Public Service and the State House Spokesperson underscores the seriousness of the matter. President Ruto's swift action to address Kenyatta's concerns reflects a commitment to resolving the stalemate and fostering goodwill between the current administration and its predecessor.
However, the incident also sheds light on broader issues within the government's communication and coordination mechanisms. Discrepancies between statements from different spokespersons indicate a lack of cohesion, potentially undermining public confidence and complicating matters for the Head of State.
Political analysts suggest that Ruto's proactive approach stems from a desire to mitigate tensions, particularly within the Mt Kenya region, where discontentment over various issues prevails. By addressing Kenyatta's grievances, Ruto aims to demonstrate sensitivity to regional concerns and foster unity within the political landscape.
As discussions progress and the newly formed team tackles the identified challenges, the outcome remains uncertain. Yet, the willingness of both parties to engage in dialogue signifies a step towards amicable resolution and the preservation of institutional integrity. Ultimately, the successful navigation of this standoff could set a precedent for future transitions of power and intergovernmental relations in Kenya.
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