President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto may have to set aside their political simmers and co-exist as neighbours at a ranch in Narok County.
The Head of State reportedly splashed millions to acquire a 1,000-acre ranch touted to be his retirement home a few months ago. This was after Ruto reportedly bought a 900-acre ranch in Trans Mara Sub-county six years ago, a ranch said to border Uhuru's.
Ruto Ranch
The DP purchased the ranch previously owned by former Vice President Joseph Murumbi, and which boarders the famed Masai Mara Game Reserve.
The DP has reportedly transformed the ranch after it was left dilapidated following Murumbi's death in 1990.
He has stocked hundreds of beef cattle on the ranch, which he is said to frequent every weekend to assess progress.
In 2019, Ruto found himself at the center of a scandal after Trusted Society of Human Rights wrote to Directorate of Criminal Investigations seeking to have the DP investigated over his acquisition of the property.
The DP Ruto was allegedly able to purchase the land after former VP Murumbi defaulted on a Ksh8.9 million he had taken out with the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC).
Before its purchase, the once palatial home with a 35-roomed mansion had been left dilapidated when Murumbi and his wife died. The two did not have any children.
Next to the house whose doors and windows had been removed was a swimming pool that was infested with Algae.
Murumbi was known for his love of arts with collections covering the walls of his magnificent house, a tradition he had carried till his death.
The DP's ranch also neighbours that of Narok Governor Samuel Tunai.
Uhuru's Land
Uhuru spent the 2021 New Year eve at his new 1,000-acre home in Narok.
The Head of State gave his annual end-of-year speech at the expansive ranch overlooking the Maasai Mara National park.
The ranch is located in Oloolmongi, Lolgorian Ward, which is speculated to be Uhuru's retirement home after he leaves office in 2022.
He bought the ranch from Olerien and Kengani group in 2020. He is also said to have purchased another parcel of land where he intends to set up a tourist lodge.
Several amenities including hospitals and schools are expected to be set up in the area now known as the VIP nest.
