How coalition government big shots tighten their belts ... in grand style

As close to 10 million Kenyans struggle with famine, the Grand Coalition Government has been engaged in a spending spree on fuel guzzling limousines. Ministers from across the political divide have been struggling to outdo each on the make, cost and class of vehicles at their disposal.

Most of the cars the ministers are being chauffeured in are new Mercedes S series models costing as much as Sh20 million each. The vehicles are custom-made to the buyer’s specifications.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, for instance, was allocated a Mercedes S350, a “lower” model than Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Mercedes S500. The latter car was also used by former Vice-President Michael Wamalwa.

Most of the other ministers were bought Mercedes S280 cars. A Mercedes S350 is valued at between Sh13 million and Sh20 million depending on the specifications. An E Class is worth at least Sh9 million.

The ministers usually have two or three other vehicles for their use. Others, including Internal Security minister George Saitoti, Environment’s John Michuki and the deputy prime ministers, also have chase cars.

Surrendered

Although minister Amos Kimunya had ordered the return of extra vehicles used by the ministers as a bid to cut government spending when he held the Finance docket, some were never surrendered.

Most of the cars surrendered are yet to be auctioned and are lying at the government yard in Industrial Area. The trend where the government indicated the total budget for vehicles, broken down by ministries and the number to be purchased, stopped following the release of a Kenya National Commission on Human Rights report that laid bare wastage of funds three years ago.

It is now difficult to know exactly how many vehicles were bought recently by the Grand Coalition Government. Going by the registration numbers, however, a spot check by the Nation showed that most of the cars being used by ministers are new.