The Kenyatta family was in the spotlight before and after the 2022 General Election, with the Kenya Kwanza government blaming President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta for a myriad of issues.
From leaving a broke nation with a struggling economy to his administration reportedly squandering subsidies and other funds to attempting to subvert the people's will by supporting former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and sponsoring Azimio La Umoja demonstrations.
The broken political marriage between President William Ruto and his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, has thus been put into scrutiny if the past events are anything to go by.
Kenyans.co.ke looks at four monumental changes in the Kenyatta family since the head of state assumed power in September 2022.
Mama Ngina Pension
Reports indicated that former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta's state pension was increased from Ksh568,218 to Ksh679,800 monthly.
The pension increase was attributed to the Constitution that provided for a widow of a retired president to be paid 40 per cent of the current salary paid to the sitting head of state.
The move came amidst calls by a section of Kenya Kwanza politicians for the government to probe tax evasion claims by the Kenyatta family.
Sentiments issued by pro-government politicians did not sit kindly with Mama Ngina, who noted that she was ready to have her property auctioned upon proof of the tax evasion claims.
“It is a fact that every employed Kenyan should pay income tax, irrespective of their job group. That is not up for discussion. There is no need to malign someone, to seem like you are doing something.
"Even if it is me, that I have foregone a year without paying taxes, let my wealth be confiscated so that it can help pay the taxes," Mama Ngina lamented on Saturday, February 4.
Increasing Protection of Family Property
The Northlands invasion made headlines, with critics claiming that the move was a means of the Kenya Kwanza administration to settle political scores with the former president.
Further, reports indicated that police officers took over 21 hours before arriving at the farm. Alluding to this, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki pointed out that police officers were held up with Azimio protestors and could not respond swiftly.
He, however, assured that more security officers were deployed to guard Uhuru's private properties, sentiments corroborated by President Ruto.
“Kenya is a country of rule of law and has responsible citizens. As President, I will ensure that no one’s property is destroyed or life lost,” the President explained.
Security at Northlands City and Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's Ichaweri home in Gatundu South were beefed up.
Uhuru as Special Envoy
Shortly after President Ruto took over office, he appointed Uhuru as his peace envoy for the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa on behalf of the government.
While acknowledging Uhuru's efforts and diplomacy toward promoting peace, stability and security in the region, Ruto affirmed support for his peace intervention endeavours.
This was perceived as a show of might in Ruto's willingness to place their differences aside for the country's development.
During a past interview on Al-Jazeera, the president noted that the tumultuous relationship between him and Uhuru was water under the bridge.
"I'm now the President of Kenya. I'm the big brother now. It's in my place to work with Uhuru. I think it's the right thing to do. I won't allow negative energy to be built around our country," he stated at the time.
Kenya Kwanza, however, pushed Ruto to recall Uhuru, claiming that he was working against the government and had declined to retire from politics in support of Azimio La Umoja.
Scaling Down Security
Inspector General Japhet Koome, on Friday, February 3, confirmed that the former president's security was scaled down in accordance with the law.
The IG indicated that the presidential escort unit's leadership for a retired president falls to a superintendent.
He added that the Assistant IG, leading Uhuru's security detail, was recalled and assigned responsibilities commensurate with his rank.
While defending his move, the IG noted that retaining the Assistant IG to Uhuru's post would create a conflict since an officer of the same rank was in charge of Ruto's security detail.
