Deputy President William Ruto has hit back at Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i following his listing of properties that belong to the second in command.
The CS had made the submissions during an appearance before a parliamentary committee which had invited him to explain the change of security at Ruto's residences. Matiang'i listed 10 properties and the security in each of them as he added that the DP's security had not been downgraded.
However, in a rejoinder on Thursday, Ruto said the CS had decided to conduct a lifestyle audit on him under the guise of sharing security details.
The DP said the CS forgot to add some of the other assets he owns, including 400,000 shares in Safaricom and 200,000 chickens from which he sells 150,000 eggs daily and earns Sh1.5 million.
As of closing time on Thursday, Safaricom shares were selling at a high of Sh44.3 per share, meaning the current value of the shares is Sh17.7 million.
The DP also said that only 70 percent of the properties listed by Matiang’i belong to him.
He denied owning ADC Laikipia Mutara Ranch.
He spoke when he met leaders from Nakuru county at his Karen residence.
The DP said the Office of the President helped conduct a lifestyle audit on him, something people have been asking him to do.
Ruto said, “Wameanza kunisaidia kufanya lifestyle audit. Kazi kubwa watu walikuwa wananiuliza sasa wamefanya wenyewe bila hata ya sheria. Nilikuwa nimefanyiwa lifestyle audit na magazeti na hawa watu wa OP wamekuja juzi wakaimprove ile ilikuwa imefanywa na magazeti.”
This loosely translates to, “They have helped me conduct a lifestyle audit without following the law. Lifestyle audit had only been conducted on me by newspapers but people from the OP (Office of the President) have improved what newspapers had done.”
Ruto said the authorities should have also gone to his bank accounts to find out how much money there is, and how much in loans he is servicing for the lifestyle audit to be complete.
The DP insisted that other politicians should be audited.
The Deputy President stated that the number of officers guarding him was also exaggerated and meant to tarnish his name.
He added that some leaders had opted to engage in non-issues instead of focusing on issues affecting millions of ordinary Kenyans.
“Let us engage and work together towards making Kenya a country of possibilities. We must create jobs and support enterprises to sprout and flourish. That way, we will tame poverty and take Kenya back to the growth path,” Ruto said.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, CS Matiang'i said 51 officers are attached to 10 properties purportedly owned by the DP.
Kitengela Gas has six officers, Weston Hotel has four officers while Murumbi Farm has six officers.
The CS also listed ADC Laikipia Mutara Ranch which has six officers, Dolphine Hotel in Mombasa has six, Mata Farm has six and the DP's private residence in Elgon View Eldoret has four.
Koitalel Poultry farm Eldoret has four officers as well as his private residence in Kosachei.
Kwae Island Development LTD - Wilson airport that has two hangers and five helicopters has five officers.
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