Speculation as Uhuru Builds New Mansion

President Uhuru Kenyatta in his vehicle
President Uhuru Kenyatta in his vehicle.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has numerously emphasised that he will retire and stay away from the whims of power in 2022 despite calls from his allies urging him to remain in government. 

Speculations are rife as Kenyatta has reportedly already outlined his retirement plan, with the construction of a new mansion and road upgrade in his village home (Ichaweri, Kiambu County) topping his priority list. 

Construction of the new mansion commenced in 2018, with the contractor and employees working under tight GSU security. 

"The old fence is being replaced with a new one and people have been speculating it might be his retirement home. When a president retires, he must head back home to his rural area," John Wanyoike, a neighbour stated while speaking with a local daily.

President Uhuru Kenyatta embraces his wife Margaret after completing his 2km run at the beyond zero half marathon on March 8, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta embraces his wife Margaret after completing his 2km run at the beyond zero half marathon on March 8, 2020.
PSCU

His other neighbours also lauded him for being an outgoing and simple person while off duty. 

A family source disclosed that Kenyatta's new home was privately funded unlike those of former President Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki. 

The construction of the lavish mansion follows government plans to facelift the village with a Ksh 11 billion road project

According to the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), the road is estimated to be 62 kilometres in length and will be completed by June 2022, two months before the President's second term ends. The highway is expected to connect Kiambu Road to Thika Highway via Kirigiti, Ngewa, Ichaweri, Gatundu and Mang'u.

Founding president Jomo Kenyatta's village home in Ichaweri, Kiambu County is also under renovation. On November 22, 2019, the government announced plans to turn it into a National Museum.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's house located next to State House, Nairobi is also facing extensive renovation. 

"I am not interested in extending my term of office beyond 2022. People talking about Constitutional change does not necessarily mean that they are desirous for the president to seek a third term but because of issues related to the cost of running this Constitution," Kenyatta stated in an interview with CNN's Richard Quest in October 2018. 

a
Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's Ichaweri, Kiambu County home
File