Pesa otas! Cost of the unregistered tractor President Ruto drove around his farm
On April 9, 2023, photos and videos shared to social media by blogger and Chief Administrative Secretary Dennis Itumbi showed President William Samoei Ruto driving a tractor without legal registration plates attached to it on one of his farms.
A renowned chicken, dairy, and vegetable farmer, President Ruto could be seen fixing and driving the tractor on his piece of land as he pulled a plow along. According to Itumbi, the President went to help his farmhands prepare for the planting season as the April rains are currently pouring in Kenya.
Nairobi News previously reported that President Ruto could be liable to pay a fine of Sh 300,000 for driving a vehicle without number plates attached to it on Kenyan soil but that would be no problem as he is one of the wealthiest politicians in Kenya.
Additionally, Nairobi News researched and found that the tractor he had been using to plough his land costs an average of Sh 10,000,000 at minimum.
Our research found that President Ruto was driving a JX Straddle Maxxum 110hp-125hp Case IH, a machine described as a “powerful multipurpose machine”.
Its manufacturers said that the Case IH Maxxum tractors set the standard for power, performance, and fuel economy.
The Case IH tractors are known for maximum durability, independent and direct driven PTO, maximum traction and maneuverability, high capacity hydraulics, clear information display, low effort, and the best in class accessibility and easy serviceability.
As President Ruto’s photos and videos of him ploughing the land went viral, a company by the name CFAO Kenya Limited reposted the video on the same day and captioned it, “We live for these moments – A happy customer. #trustthered.”
In the comment section, as many people noted that the company had shared the video and was also in the business of selling tractors out of Nairobi and Nakuru Counties, the company revealed that they sold the Maxxum Case IH 125 4WD that President Ruto was recorded driving at Sh 10.1 million.
“From plowing to planting and everything in between, the Case IH Maxxum 125 is the tractor for Kenyan farmers who demand the best. With its advanced features and fuel-efficient engine, it delivers maximum power and efficiency. And with its range of farm applications, it can handle any task on your farm,” said CFAO Kenya Limited in their online sales pitch for the IH 125.
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