The National Treasury has left out allocations for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s retirement office and staff from the budget for the fiscal year beginning in July, indicating the President’s desire to remain active in party politics.
The budget estimates tabled in Parliament failed to include an estimated Sh100 million for a fully furnished office, aides, limousines, and other perks such as housing, fuel, and entertainment allowances for the retired president.
The Treasury is reportedly trying to avoid breaking sections of the law that prohibit a retired president from holding office in a political party for six months after his or her retirement.
Mr Kenyatta was given a five-year term as leader of the Jubilee Party in February, and he is listed as chairman of the council of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, which veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga used to launch his fifth presidential bid in Kenya.
The law allows the Treasury to pay a monthly pension of Sh691,200 to a retired president, regardless of political affiliation.
For the fiscal year beginning in July, the new vote has been allocated Sh72 million, which will rise to Sh79.2 million in the fiscal year 2024.
Starting in July next year, the Treasury will increase an allocation for retired presidents’ pensions from Sh34.4 million to Sh42.42 million, which will cover former President Mwai Kibaki’s retirement benefits.
Mr Kenyatta is backing Mr Odinga, a former political rival, after the two reconciled in early 2018, effectively putting Deputy President William Ruto on the backburner. Mr Ruto has been vocal about his own presidential ambitions.
Dr. Ruto left the ruling Jubilee Party and is now running on the United Democratic Alliance’s ticket (UDA).
On the campaign trail, Mr Odinga and Dr Ruto have been squabbling, particularly in central Kenya, where Mr Kenyatta’s ethnic Kikuyu votes are at stake.
The lavish exit package has also been heavily criticized, owing to the fact that some of the retired State officials left office as wealthy men with billions of shillings in property and extensive business interests.
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