Kikuyu leaders are embroiled in a bitter war over Ksh8 million that was reportedly dished out during an event held at Deputy President William Ruto's Sugoi home on December 19, 2019.
The Standard on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, reported that the money was allegedly distributed to reimburse transport costs for the over 4,000 Kikuyu leaders who attended the meeting about fostering peace.
The delegates who attended the meeting, which happened after a successful chicken auction at Kambi Kuku, were led by Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri (Chairman of Kikuyu Community in Rift Valley) and his vice chair Joseph Wainaina.
However, several leaders alleged that less than Ksh1 million was shared and the organisers disappeared with the rest.
"While planning for the meeting, different people contributed money to help in the transportation of people from different areas of Rift Valley to Sugoi. I personally contributed Ksh 30,000 and I know other people who contributed the same or more amounts.
"When we got to the DP's home, he gave us Ksh8 million as a refund. He wanted to appreciate everyone who attended the meeting," an official who participated in organising the meeting alleged.
The official also revealed to the newspaper that indeed the money was reportedly squandered by other top leaders.
"Some people left empty-handed. The money was divided according to the wards and many people can attest that they did not receive anything," the official stated.
Wainaina dismissed the claims, which also alleged that he had bought a brand new car after the Sugoi meeting.
"I did not steal any money from the Ksh8 million the DP gave us. Ngunjiri also contributed Ksh1 million towards the transportation costs," Wainaina defended.
Through his Facebook page, President Uhuru Kenyatta's ally, Ngunjiri Wambugu indirectly alleged that Ruto was pleased by the internal wrangles that sprouted.
"This is also the kind of ridicule against our community that makes the man behind this madness extremely happy. It’s like reading news in the 1940s; though that time it was the colonialist. Thank God we have lessons we carry forward from the fight for independence," the Nyeri Town MP argued.
"The fact that the trusted leaders did such a thing is shameful and annoying and most embarrassing since these are the people who have put themselves around the DP for one reason or another and they lied to him about this money," Paul Kinyanjui, GEMA organising secretary reacted.
