Companies associated with Deputy President William Ruto have been leasing houses to police officers in contracts worth millions.
According to the Sunday Nation, Ruto is connected to the leased houses, first through a company that is owned by his family members, and secondly through a real estate management firm.
For instance, Legend Management Limited is reportedly listed in police documents as having leased out 72 units at Osere Flats in Ongata Rongai for an annual sum of Ksh16 million.
The units were built on a piece of land that bears the same land registration number (L R 23132) as another set of houses which had been leased to the police by Matiny Limited.
Reports allege that Matiny Ltd directors are the DP's daughters; Charlene Chelagat Ruto and Rael Chebet Kimetto.
The Deputy President’s wife is known as Rachel Chebet Kimeto and it is not clear if she also goes by the name "Rael".
Matiny had leased 98 units at Osere Flats at a cost of Ksh20.3 million per year for three years. This brings the number of units leased to the police by companies associated with the DP at Osere Flats to 170.
Over time, the company has received a total of Ksh61 million.
While there is no suggestion of wrongdoing, it raises serious questions of conflict of interest given that the DP holds a powerful office in the country.
On Saturday, Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet maintained that all leases will be cancelled despite the legal implications that could expose the government to millions of shillings in compensation.
This means that landlords who had their leases running will have to get other tenants from January next year.
