Since birth, a section of high-profile politicians have lived a life of opulence- judging by their ability to maintain an enviable class of their own for years.
For some, it was the proverbial silver spoon in their mouth while for others, they had to grind for their success.
In the past six months, President William Ruto, his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta and former premier Raila Odinga, stole the show at the August 9 polls, with all eyes fixated on the trio.
Months after the election, from their lifestyle to their speeches, the three leaders were scrutinised in pre and post election battles.
But what also defines the three, is their taste for high-end, top of the range machines. Known for motorcades and a stream of cars trailing their paths, Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at the first cars driven by the cream of the crop.
Uhuru
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has lived a life only few could dream of- the son of the nation who essentially became president and served for two terms.
During his hay days at St.Mary's school in Nairobi, Uhuru was chauffeured in a sleek Mercedes-Benz with private number plates.
Years later when he turned 16, his father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta gifted him his first car, a cream Mercedes Benz E Class.
"The swanky car comes with diesel and gasoline options with a riding capacity of five persons. It also has a 0 to 100km/h acceleration capacity of 10.5 seconds."
"Saints students were allowed to drive and park their personal cars in school, once they reached upper 6th. Uhuru was no exception," Uhuru's former classmate Charles Ouko recalled during a past media interview.
Ruto
President Ruto, who is no stranger to politics, has always branded himself as a hustler; rising from a humble background to ascending to the seat of power. In the past, he has credited his rise to a few key individuals, among them former president Daniel Moi.
During an interview at a local TV station, he revealed that while at the University of Nairobi (UoN), Moi gifted him alongside three other students with a piece of land, which they sold and used the money to buy his first car.
"Mzee Moi was a very generous person. He really went out of his way and he may have influenced us in some way. At one point we went to see, four of us university students, and we asked him to give us a piece of land and he actually did. We sold the piece of land and I remember I bought my first car," Ruto noted during a past media interview.
Raila
Aside from politics, the Orange Democratic Movement party leader, Raila Odinga owns a multi-billion gas company; East Africa Spectre. In a past interview, Raila shared how his dream of owning a multibillion company began after he sold his first car, a German machine.
Raila used a German Opel left-hand drive while working at UoN. He, however, sold the vehicle at Ksh12,000 to buy equipment from an Indian tycoon, which he used to launch the gas company.
“The entire machinery was being sold at Ksh12,000 which I didn’t have, my salary was only Ksh2000, so I sold my car to raise the cash and that is how I started," Raila previously stated.
Notable mention
Prime Cabinet Secretary nominee, Musalia Mudavadi had a Peugeot 504 KZS 841 during the onset of his political career, through the help of Mzee Moi. Currently, Mudavadi is worth Ksh4 billion, inclusive of his assets and properties.
