Indigo Grill Hotel in Kitengela may not be a household name, but its meals become costlier than many five-star hotels in Nairobi if the customer is the county government.
It has emerged that the county government of Kajiado bought lunch for Ksh2,250 per plate for 20 visitors of the county’s speaker, which is more than double the hotel’s normal price. That cost it Ksh45,000, in what appears to be a conspiracy between County Assembly and the hotel.
Besides, the meals had to be transported a whole 45km to the venue in Kajiado town! What has miffed the Senate hearing the matter is the fact that in a county where most residents can’t afford food and water, its leadership can afford to spend Ksh2,250 on food worth less than Ksh1,000.
BusinessToday made inquiries to Indigo Grill, located on Kitengela Plaza in Kitengela town, and confirmed that the most expensive meal for one person is actually Ksh750. A kilogramme of grilled beef (nyama choma) costs Ksh950, and this can feed two people with a huge appetite. A plate of ugali costs Ksh80, half litre bottled water Ksh70 while a beer goes for between Ksh150 and Ksh200 depending on the brand.
“Put it at like a thousand (shillings) for a whole meal,” Ms Tabitha Mueni, a manager at the hotel, said on phone. That means a complete meal including a bottle of water should cost no more than Ksh1,000.
Senate County Accounts and Investment Committee chaired by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale put assembly clerk Daniel K’Onyango to task to explain how the price was suddenly inflated. Mr K’Onyango said Indigo Grill Hotel charges included cost of transporting food from Kitengela to Kajiado town, a distance of 45 kilometres, but still the cost was not adding up. Even then transport cannot cost more than the food itself.
Premium lunch for Mr Speaker
“This was premium lunch befitting the status of the speaker but we have since streamlined the handling of assembly’s imprest,” the clerk told the committee. Dr Khalwale ordered the clerk to provide details of the entertainment within a week.
“How do you admit a receipt of Ksh2,250 per plate lunch in Kitengela?” Dr Khalwale asked. “A whole rib and leg that is capable of feeding up to five people cost between Ksh1,200 and Ksh1,500 at Sacret Hotel where I entertain my visitors. How special is this plate in Kitengela that costs Ksh2,250?”
Busia Senator Amos Wako suggested that a lunch befitting the speaker’s status would include drinks like water, wine and whisky.
This transaction is the latest to be spotlighted by the Senate at Kajiado County Assembly, which has been tasked to explain the procurement of the Sh2,250 per plate lunch “befitting the status” of the guest of the speaker. The county has been in the news this week when it was questioned over Sh90,000 phones for executives, a price that is beyond the Sh30,000 limit allowed for top officials.
Meanwhile, Kajiado county assembly spent Ksh4.6 million on drafting three Bills, the Senate heard.
The Senate at the same time warned all county assemblies to stop retaining the services of lawyers to draft legislation at exorbitant rates. Instead they should use the Kenya Law Reform Commission.
Dr Khalwale told the accounting officer that the expenditure amounted to misuse of public funds when several school children have no classrooms. Kajiado Senator Peter Mositet accused officials of running down the county and “it pains me to hear all this kind of misappropriation when the people of Kajiado are extremely poor, lack water and food.”
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