Cabinet ministers defy Uhuru order on fuel guzzlers

By MORTON SAULO

Fourteen cabinet ministers have not heeded to Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to surrender their vehicles of more than 1800cc.

Among them is Charity Ngilu (Water and Irrigation), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Medical Services), Otieno Kajwang’ (Immigration), Jefferson Kingi (East African Community) and Mutula Kilonzo (Justice and Constitutional Affairs).

Others are John Michuki (Environment), Noah Wekesa (Forestry and Wildlife), Naomi Shabaan (Special Programmes), Prof Sam Ongeri (Education), Paul Otuoma (Fisheries Development) and Fred Gumo (Regional Development).

Today, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi ate the humble pie and surrendered his state of the art Mercedes Benz S280.

The Attorney General Amos Wako also delivered his car in exchange for the Volkswagen Passat.

Last week Mudavadi questioned the directive to surrender the expensive vehicles and called for a review of the order.

"We use them while on our official duties," said Mudavadi.

"I still have the car with me. But this is a small matter and for me not to return it, I will not be breaking any law," he said as he responded to a question.

Kajwang’ vowed not to return his car and questioned the rationale behind the policy accusing the Finance Minister of single sourcing.

Ninety two cars have been surrendered and 24 Volkswagen Passats still awaiting to be collected by Cabinet ministers, their assistants, permanent secretaries and senior accounting officers.

In phase two of the policy, members of the judiciary and heads of parastatals are expected to surrender their vehicles.

In justifying the procurement of the uniform vehicles, Finance Permanent Secretary Joseph Kinyua said the government considered the need to cap the limit on expenditure on the procurement of motor vehicles while at the same time ensuring models selected reflect dignity and status of the VIPs.

"The Government found it appropriate to take advantage of economies of scale realised in bulk purchasing and subsequent operation and maintenance costs," said Kinyua in a memo sent to permanent secretaries.

Kinyua argued that buying uniform cars would enable the ministry monitor fuel use across the ministries.

 

 

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