A single mother from Nakuru whose son recited a memorable poem to President Uhuru Kenyatta at Lanet Barracks, Nakuru county in 2014 has described the president’s house gift a “big joke”. Damaris Wambui’s son Dennis Ngaruiya left Uhuru in stitches during the Kenya Defence Forces Day celebrations and he promised to put a decent house to appreciate the boy’s creativity.
Wambui lives in a rented mud-walled house in Lanet about four kilometres away from the one she rejected in Bahati, sources reported. “This is a big joke. Look at this house. It has cracks on the outside and looks like a semi-permanent house while President Kenyatta in his wisdom meant well for us as a family,” she said.
She claimed a State House official whom Uhuru had ordered to ensure she had a decent house played tricks on her and her son even after she identified a plot on which she wanted the structure erected. According to her, the house had apparently been occupied and had cracked walls when she was asked to move in.
When they bought this plot they did not involve me. They bought it and called me to occupy the house but I rejected it,” she added. However, when reached for comment, State House spokesperson Kanze Dena maintained the house had been furnished and only lacked cutlery and mattresses which would be delivered soon. The house was built on land next to one owned by Mike Getone, a State House staff.
“From the information I am gathering, the house was built and it is furnished but the lady claims the house was made of waste papers. I don’t understand what she meant by that. What was agreed upon when the family met the President at State House has been delivered. What is missing is cutlery and mattresses which will be procured,” Dena claimed.