Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a direct challenge to President William Ruto on Monday regarding the retirement benefits that have not been provided to his office. Speaking to the press, Kenyatta’s spokesperson, Kanze Dena, revealed that the retired President’s office has been deprived of its entitled benefits, and State House has remained silent on the issue.
Despite Kenyatta receiving his monthly allowances, medical coverage, and a gratuity of Ksh.48 million, Dena pointed out that a significant portion of additional benefits has yet to be provided.
At the top of the list, Dena highlighted the lack of budgetary allocations to the office, which she claimed has been deliberately restricted.
“In the year 2022/2023 parliament allocated to this office Ksh.655 million. To date the office can only confirm spending of Ksh.28 million spread across payment of allowance for domestic travel as well as facilitation of the 2 official trips that have been honored so far,” she noted.
“This is approximately 4.4% of the total budget. This does not include payment of salaries and medical insurance. No other monies spent can be accounted for by this office.”
She added that none of the expected Ksh.503 million for 2023/2024 has been provided, bringing the total pending budget for Kenyatta’s office to approximately Ksh.1 billion.
Dena stated that Kenyatta has not been enjoying a fully furnished and maintained office space, noting, “To date, the matter has never been addressed and remains unresolved.”
“The office in Nyari was selected by later President Mwai Kibaki suitable for himself. To date this office runs on the former President’s goodwill as it waits upon action from State House,” she noted.
She added that Kenyatta’s office was allocated vehicles for personal use, including two Toyota Land Cruisers, one Mercedes Benz, and one Range Rover, which is used by former First Lady Margaret Kenyatta. However, these vehicles are old, contrary to the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
“The vehicles allocated to the former President were not new in fact they were part of the motorcade when he left Kasarani during the inauguration ceremony and this was agreed that he uses the vehicles on a transitional basis they begin the process of procuring new vehicles,” she said.
The Act states that a retired president is entitled to two new vehicles of their choice, each not exceeding an engine capacity of 3,000 CC, and replaceable every three years. Additionally, a retired president is entitled to two four-wheel motor vehicles of their choice, each with an engine capacity of 3,000-4,000 CC, also replaceable every three years.
“Four Toyota Prados are in use as follows. Three are in use by the security detail given to the former president and 1 that is in use by the office as well as 1 Subaru Forester,” said Dena.
The former State House spokesperson further noted that Kenyatta has been fueling his cars himself since the fuel cards issued by the government were canceled and blocked in March 2023.
Other issues Kenyatta is protesting include the lack of support for his foreign trips, despite making two official journeys: one to Ethiopia for an African Union-led peace process and another to Burundi for the 11th summit of the Heads of State and Government of the East African Community (EAC).
Dena was responding to statements by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed and Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who claimed that the government has shown goodwill to Kenyatta’s office and that he has been fully enjoying his perks.
