The former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, has begun receiving a monthly pension of Sh1.32 million since December 1st, according to Treasury documents. Additionally, the government has retained Sh655 million for his retirement from party politics. This budget includes a fully furnished office, salaries for his aides, and luxury vehicles. To access this budget, Kenyatta must officially retire from party politics, as the law prohibits a retired president from holding office in a political party for more than six months after leaving the presidency.
In February 2022, Kenyatta was offered a five-year term as head of the Jubilee Party, and he currently serves as chairman of the council for the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, which was used by Raila Odinga for his unsuccessful presidential campaign.
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According to the law, a retired president is eligible to receive a monthly pension of Sh693,000 from the Treasury, as well as other benefits such as house allowance, fuel, entertainment, and utilities. These benefits are not dependent on the retired president’s political affiliation.
When a Kenyan president retires, their monthly pension is calculated based on 80% of their pensionable salary, which is equivalent to 60% of the sitting president’s monthly salary of Sh1.44 million. In addition to this, retired presidents receive allowances for fuel, housing, and entertainment, which exceed the salaries and allowances of top executives at State-owned firms like KenGen, Kenya-Re, and Kenya Power.
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The benefits received by retired presidents have been the subject of much scrutiny, particularly in recent years, as the government has claimed to be implementing austerity measures to control the public sector wage bill. In 2015, the High Court ordered the government to stop paying millions of shillings in allowances to former presidents Daniel Arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki, ruling that they were an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. The Attorney-General appealed this decision, allowing the late Moi and Kibaki to continue receiving their high pay.
Additionally, the retired presidents are entitled to a team of 34 office and home workers, including two personal assistants, four secretaries, four messengers, four drivers, and bodyguards. These employees are funded by taxpayers. They are also provided with four cars, two of which are limousines, that are replaced every four years and receive full medical coverage and fully furnished offices.
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