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Kenya storm over president lunch Kenya storm over president lunch
(21 minutes later)
Top Kenyan politicians, businessmen and corporate executives have allegedly paid a total of $1.5m to have lunch with President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi. Top Kenyan politicians, businessmen and corporate executives have reportedly paid $15,000 each to have lunch with President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi.
Guests are said to have paid $15,000 each at a five-star hotel for a menu representing Kenya's different regions. The event, held at a five-star hotel, had a menu representing Kenya's different regions, with dishes such as stewed tripe with banana and potatoes.
The president's Party of National Unity (PNU) insists the guests were attending a website launch and not raising funds for next month's elections. Mr Kibaki's spokesman says the guests were attending a website launch and not raising funds for next month's polls.
The function has twice been postponed after public uproar over the cost. The event has twice been put back after public uproar over reports of the cost.
It is reported that the organisers were trying to raise $1.5m.
$15,000 MENU Pureed pumpkin and ginger sauceTilapia in tomato sauceStewed tripe with bananas and potatoesFish in coconut sauceFried camel meatUgali (maize meal porridge)Vegetable masalaFruit salad
President Kibaki's press secretary Isaiah Kabira said the event was to promote Mr Kibaki's election website.
Journalists were not allowed to film the event.Journalists were not allowed to film the event.
The BBC's Kevin Mwachiro in Nairobi says President Kibaki arrived at the Safari Park Hotel at midday to join top industrialists, stock markets executives and government officials.The BBC's Kevin Mwachiro in Nairobi says President Kibaki arrived at the Safari Park Hotel at midday to join top industrialists, stock markets executives and government officials.
President Kibaki's press secretary Isaiah Kabira has said the function was not organised to boost the PNU campaign kitty, as reported in the local media. Fried camel meat and pureed pumpkin and ginger were other menu options.
Some observers have described the event as an affront to poor people in Kenya.Some observers have described the event as an affront to poor people in Kenya.
About 50% of Kenyans, many living in slums and rural areas depend on less than $1 a day.About 50% of Kenyans, many living in slums and rural areas depend on less than $1 a day.
President Kibaki faces a strong challenge from former minister Raila Odinga in the presidential race.President Kibaki faces a strong challenge from former minister Raila Odinga in the presidential race.
Latest opinion polls show Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga remains the most popular candidate with 45% of Kenyans backing his bid, compared to 41%, who support President Kibaki.Latest opinion polls show Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga remains the most popular candidate with 45% of Kenyans backing his bid, compared to 41%, who support President Kibaki.
President Kibaki, 75, is banking on a strong economic growth and promises to expand his universal free education to secondary school if elected.President Kibaki, 75, is banking on a strong economic growth and promises to expand his universal free education to secondary school if elected.