Guzzlers to go at fall of hammer

By Luke Anami

Fuel guzzlers that were surrendered by Government officials will be sold in an auction tomorrow.

In an advertisement put on the dailies on Friday, the Treasury welcomed those wishing to buy top of the range vehicles to view them at the godowns of the Chief Mechanical and Transport engineer at Industrial Area, Nairobi.

"The collection of vehicles that were not complied as per the Finance Minister’s last year directive are to be sold in auction on 9th this month," said Donald Kibera, chairman of the Taskforce that is dealing with the sale of Government vehicles.

Ninety-nine vehicles ministers and PSs surrendered last year will be sold after being valued by Government and independent valuers.

Vehicles up for sale include Mercedes Benz models and four wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruisers.

"The vehicles are being sold through an open tender in strict compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act," said Kibera.

In the advert that appeared in a section of the press, the declared purchases must deposit 25 per cent of the price at the fall of the hammer and the balance paid within seven days from the auction date. "A refundable bankers cheque of Sh30,000 should be deposited in favour of the Financial Secretary at Treasury," read the advert.

The decision to sell off Government vehicles follows Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s last year’s budget to reduce Government spending by using more economical vehicles.

Top Government officials, who usually have a fleet of cars at their disposal, were also limited to only one.

In his directive, Mr Uhuru ruled out the use of vehicles with engine capacities exceeding 1800 cc. In exchange for the vehicles the Cabinet ministers, their assistants and the PSs were allocated VW Passats.