Gov’t Breaks Down Former President Uhuru’s Received Benefits Amid Allegations of Denial of Funds.
Gov’t Breaks Down Former President Uhuru’s Received Benefits: The Government spokesperson has come out to clarify retirement benefits that the government has paid to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and his mother Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
He highlighted that The government is committed to supporting the office of retired presidents and other state officers in accordance to the laws, underscoring that The Kenya Kwanza government is firmly against weaponization of state resources.
He stated,”The Presidential Retirement Benefits Act demands that former presidents receive pensions and other retirement benefits after leaving office. The Kenya Kwanza government is dedicated to upholding the law and the constitution of the Republic of Kenya, as President Ruto vowed to do,”
”Contrary to some opinions, the government has consistently honored its obligations to retired presidents, vice presidents, and the former prime minister,” he added.
Mwaura detailed that President Uhuru Kenyatta has received a lump sum payment of Ksh 48 million, equivalent to one year’s salary for each of the two terms he served.
Additionally, he receives a monthly pension of Ksh 1.6 million, and monthly allowances of Ksh 1 million including entertainment allowance of Ksh 200,000, a monthly house allowance of Ksh 300,000, a fuel allowance of Ksh 200,000 per month, and a monthly allowance of Ksh 300,000 for water, electricity, and telephone services. He also benefits from a comprehensive medical and hospital cover worth Ksh 20 million for both local and overseas treatment for himself and his spouse. Importantly, all these benefits are exempted from tax.
Furthermore, the retired third president enjoys a fully furnished and maintained office space of his choice, which is fully furnished and paid by the government. He is entitled to two new cars of his choice, replaceable every three years, with an engine capacity of at least 3000cc.
Additionally, he is entitled to two other vehicles with an engine capacity of 3,400cc, also replaceable every three years. He was allocated these vehicles on retirement, and their replacements will be factored in the budget 2027/2028 financial year.
The third retired president H.E Uhuru Kenyatta is by law entitled to 4 vehicles at the expense of the state, whereas the former first lady HE Mama Ngina Kenyatta is entitled to enjoy half the benefits of a retired president, as a spouse to a former head of state.
However, the office of the third retired president, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta and H.E Mama Ngina Kenyatta, have a total of 12 vehicles at the expense of the state. These are two Toyota Land Cruisers with a 4,000cc engine capacity, one Mercedes Benz with a 5,000cc engine, four Toyota Prados with 2,700cc engines, two Range Rovers with 4,200cc engines, two Range Rovers with 5,000cc engines, and one Subaru Forester with a 2,000cc engine.
Mwaura stated,”These vehicles are fully fueled and maintained by the government. The former president has been issued four fuel cards, and Her Excellency Mama Ngina Kenyatta has three fuel cards to facilitate the fueling of their vehicles,”
“Additionally, the government has facilitated repairs and maintenance of the vehicles attached to the office of the third retired president and the former first lady upon requisition. In the 2023/2024 financial year, the office
requested service and maintenance for four motor vehicles, all of which were approved and facilitated,” he added.
The office of the retired president is entitled to a total of 34 staff of his choosing. Mwaura added that The office submitted a list of 33 people, who have so far been deployed and earning salaries.
He stated,”I wish to confirm that the office of the retired third president has staffers well paid, with some at higher job groups, the level of a Principal secretary. The office has the following staffers in post
a. 2 private secretaries
b. 3 principal assistant hospitality officers
c. 2 senior assistant hospitality officers
d. 2 drivers
e. 3 Public communication assistants
f. 2 assistant superintendent gardens
g. 1 head housekeeper
h. 1 head waiter
i. 3 assistant hospitality officers
j. 2 doctors
k. 1 deputy director programmes
1. 1 director hospitality
m. 2 photographers
n. 2 paramedics
o. 1 principal programmes officer
p. 1 principal finance officer
q. 1 editor
r. 1 social media manager
s. 1 director, Office Administrative Services
On top of these 33 staff, the former head of state continues to enjoy VIP protection and his homes are as well heavily guarded by the police.
Mwaura stated,”To address concerns about the size of delegations accompanying the former president during his engagements, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended a lean delegation of 10 staff for his international engagements,”
”This includes one private secretary, one Aide de Camp, one doctor, one advisor, one protocol officer, one hospitality officer, two security officers, and two media/press persons. This recommendation was approved by the Chief of Staff and the Head of the Public Service Hon. Felix Koskei, who instructed the state house comptroller to implement them as part of the government wide austerity measures.”
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