It is not an everyday experience for one to reject a gift worth millions.
However, this was the case for Citizen TV sports anchor Mike Okinyi who turned down a Ksh10 million Mercedes Benz Gift from Harambee Stars ace Victor Wanyama.
In 2018, Okinyi visited the Kenyan international and CF Montréal star while on an exchange program in the United Kingdom. At the time Wanyama was playing for English Premier League Club, Southampton.
As a kind gesture, Wanyama gave Okinyi an exclusive tour of the city in his sleek, customised Mercedes Benz ML 350- a luxurious vehicle that caught the anchor's attention.
The average price of the vehicle is estimated at Ksh6-10 million before tax.
Wanyama offered to give Okinyi the vehicle only if he paid customs duty as well as cater for the shipping costs.
"That Mercedes is on point, you guy, it's a one of a kind. How about it," Okinyi recalled during a past media interview with his colleague, Jeff Koinange.
The celebrated sports journalist, however, declined the offer after realising that he would pay taxes averaging Ksh18.5 million.
"Wanyama told me that if I wanted the Mercedes, I can ship it to Mombasa and drive it to Nairobi," Okinyi disclosed. "But no way, that's a type of gift that is heavily taxed - Ksh18.5 million," he added.
Specifications
The German machine consists of a V6 Cylinder Engine with a torque of 274 nets per 3500 revolutions per minute. The fuel tank capacity is approximately 93 litres with a premium unleaded V-6 engine type.
In terms of comfort, the vehicle consists of heated front and back seats, navigation systems, adaptive cruise control, adjustable steering wheel, remote trunk release among other key functionalities.
Wanyama's career
Wanyama is a sports veteran, with a career spanning 15 years. He has played for Southampton between 2013 and 2016 and Tottenham Hotspur FC between 2016-2019 in the English Premier League.
He currently plays for Major League Soccer (MLS) club, CF Montréal, where he earns an annual salary of Ksh266,640,000 ($2,400,000) according to the MLS Players Association official site.
Other vehicles in his collection include Volkswagen Crafter CR53 Maxi, Ksh15 million Range Rover Sport as well as a Ksh20 million 2017 Bentley model.
