Kenyans have long been drawn to a Volkswagen Passat in which Treasury Cabinet Secretaries typically arrive in Parliament to read or table the Budget.
On Thursday, as Treasury CS Njuguna Ndung’u arrived at Parliament buildings for the 2024/2025 budget reading, Kenyans were treated to another strange sight: a Volkswagen Passat in a country where VIPs normally drive massive fuel-guzzlers, preferably Land Cruiser Prado and Lexus.
For years, the short trip from the Treasury Buildings to Parliament has always seen an unusual vehicle when the CS enters under strong police guard.
But what exactly is the story behind the ceremonial grey Volkswagen Passat? And how did it become the de facto mode of transport for any Treasury CS? Regime notwithstanding.
In itself, the VW Passat is actually a luxurious car and it doesn’t come cheap. The story, however, dates back to the Mwai Kibaki era when the then-Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta introduced it to VIPs as a way of cutting movement costs.
In 2009, Treasury acquired 130 Passat vehicles for Cabinet ministers at a cost of Ksh.499.5 million.
Then Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta defended the deal saying the vehicles were the cheapest for VIPs in terms of maintenance and engine capacity.
As such, the Volkswagen Passat became the official vehicles for government officials, replacing fuel guzzlers which gobbled more fuel and could become a financial nightmare whenever maintenance was due.
In 2023, it was revealed that the Volkswagen Passat Ndung’u used for his inaugural trip to Parliament as Treasury CS was the same one that was used by his predecessor Ukur Yatani.
It is also the same one he used on Thursday – GKB 951F.
In a world where optics is everything, the government’s decision to have Treasury Cabinet Secretaries ride in the VW Passat could be a signal to the country that the government is tough on austerity measures and that, given the significance of a national budget, the VW Passat becomes a symbol to signify that the government has put in place all measures to be as frugal as possible.
The Volkswagen Passat is a series of large family cars manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973.
The Volkswagen Passat costs around $27,295 (Ksh.3.8 million). The Passat Limited Edition rides on 15-spoke, 18-inch wheels and has distinct exterior detailing.
Along with an assortment of upscale interior features–including leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, built-in navigation, and a Fender audio system.
