Uhuru talks of night call threats to staff, Mama Ngina's withdrawn security and blocked cards

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday accused the State of harassing his staff in night phone calls, in an attempt to frustrate him following his retirement. 

In a press briefing delivered by his Director of Communications Kanze Dena, the former president questioned why the government would intimidate his staff by issuing threats via phone calls at midnight. 

Uhuru also questioned the targeted attack on his office and anyone associated with him. He pointed out that the security detail of former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta, his mother, is yet to be reinstated, citing a security risk to the family. 30 security officers who guarded Mama Ngina’ Gatundu and Muthaiga homes were withdrawn in July 2023. 

Kanze added that Mama Ngina’s fuel cards were blocked from March 2023, forcing her to fuel her own vehicles for running normal operations. 

Additionally, the former president questioned why the State declined to renew contracts for two of Uhuru’s staff including George Kariuki (administrator) and Kanze Dena Mararo (Director of Communications). 

“The office still awaits communication on why they blatantly refused to renew contracts of 2 professional staff members. There’s also the issue of unceremonious withdrawal and intimidation of staff via phone calls at midnight,” Kanze stated. 

Kanze clarified that Uhuru’s office, comprising 32 staff, runs on his goodwill as he funds the day-to-day operations.  

“There were fuel cards that were issued as well as the maintenance of the vehicles but that has not been done because the cards were blocked in the month of March 2023 to date. They were cancelled and blocked by the State House,” she added. 

“We have provided a complete list of the staff serving at the fourth president and would like to clarify that the list Mwaura provided in his statement had the wrong tally. Members of staff that were there were 32 and not 33 when the Act provides for 34 members of staff.”

On international trips Uhuru has made since his retirement, Kanza reaffirmed that only two trips were funded by the State; the trip to Ethiopia on matters concerning the peace process led by the African Union and to Burundi for the 11th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the East African Community, on issues pertaining to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

She clarified that the office is yet to receive response for facilitation of other trips. 

On May 31, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, highlighted the benefits accorded to the retired Head of State, saying President William Ruto's administration has continually honoured its constitutional requirements.

He said Uhuru had already received an accumulative pension of Ksh.48 million and is enjoying a monthly salary of Ksh.1.6 million together with monthly allowances amounting to Ksh.1 million.

“The Kenya Kwanza government is firmly against the weaponization of State resources,” Mwaura stated.