Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, through his spokesperson Kanze Dena, confirmed on Monday that the current Kenya Kwanza administration has been denying his mother, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, her entitled benefits. In a live press conference, Dena outlined several key issues regarding the former first lady’s security and entitlements.
Kanze Dena detailed that Mama Ngina’s security detail was withdrawn abruptly in 2023, without prior notice. She emphasized that the withdrawal was communicated via a phone call on July 18, 2023, at 7:00 PM. This action was contrary to the normal protocol for such changes and was done without any formal notification. Dena refuted claims circulating in the media that Mama Ngina’s security personnel had been reinstated, labeling them.
Dena further highlighted that the government has failed to replace Mama Ngina’s vehicles every three years as mandated by law. Historically, Mama Ngina was provided with three Range Rovers, originally allocated during the presidencies of Daniel Moi and later Mwai Kibaki. These vehicles were meant to be replaced every three years to ensure her comfort and security. However, the current administration has not fulfilled this obligation. One of the Range Rovers has even become unusable due to lack of replacement.
Additionally, Dena disclosed that Mama Ngina’s fuel cards were canceled in March 2023, forcing her to personally cover fuel expenses. This abrupt cancellation has further added to the challenges faced by the former first lady in maintaining her mobility and security.
During the briefing, Kanze Dena also addressed rumors regarding former President Uhuru Kenyatta. She dismissed allegations that he has a fully furnished office maintained by the government, calling such claims baseless.
These revelations come amidst ongoing political tensions and underline the strained relationship between the current administration and the Kenyatta family. The withdrawal of benefits and security details raises concerns about the treatment of former leaders and their families in Kenya.
The lack of formal communication and the abrupt manner of these actions have drawn criticism and brought to light the necessity for a more respectful and structured approach in handling the entitlements of former first families.
