Nakuru Senator-elect Tabitha Karanja has explained her recent calls for Senators to be accorded a fuel allowance.

Speaking during a church service at Lamudiarc High School Grounds in Nakuru on Sunday, September 4, the Keorche Breweries founder asked President-elect William Ruto to introduce a kitty for senators to fuel their vehicles in the line of duty.

She argued that Senators don’t have any funding besides their salaries.

Nimeingia hii job ya senate na nimekuta hakuna fund ata mtu anapewa. Na lazima nitembee huko Kuresoi South na Kuresoi North nihakikishe nimeadvise governor maneno ya value addition kwa sababu mimi nimetoka industry ya value addition. Kwa hivyo naomba our fifth president tafadhali angalia hiyo kitty ya senate tunataka ka kitu kidogo ya kueka mafuta ili tuweze kutembea hii county ili tukitoka tuhakikishe tumeacha mark,” Karanja said.

Loosely translated, “After joining the Senate, I have just realized that senators don’t have any special fund. You know I have to travel to Kuresoi South and Kuresoi North to ensure the governor is well-advised on matters of value addition. I am urging our fifth president to consider introducing a kitty for Senators to help them fuel their vehicles and do their work efficiently.”

On Wednesday, September 7, Karanja clarified her remarks saying she was looking out for other Senators who might not have the means to fuel their cars.

Speaking during the Senate orientation programme, the businesswoman admitted that she was not aware that such a kitty already exists.

“People got surprised when I requested for the fuel kitty…. after going through the orientation, I have seen there is something I didn’t know, but it is already available there, we are well taken care of so sitauliza hio mafuta,” she said.

“….now I have seen everything is taken care of mortgage, cars…people are given all of that. I was just asking as a leader, how does it go.”

Tabitha Karanja added: “I was not asking mafuta for myself actually, because I know, for me, with or without, I would do it. But I was just looking out for a young person coming in and I thought does it mean that for you to become a senator you must be somebody who is already established?”

Excuse my French but what a load of crap!