Ruto Holds Talks With Uhuru Over Retirement Benefits Saga , Announces Way Forward.
Ruto Holds Talks With Uhuru Over Retirement Benefits Saga: This morning, President William Ruto had a conversation with his predecessor in office, the 4th President, President Uhuru Kenyatta, regarding concerns about facilitating the functioning of the retired President’s office.
According to State house spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, President Ruto has constituted a team, led by the Head of Public Service, to immediately address all the issues raised, including the location of the retired President’s office and the attendant staff establishment.
This comes a day after the government spokesman, Isaac Mwaura, issued a statement addressing the Retirement Benefits saga.
On matters vehicles, Mwaura stated that The Office of the Retired President admits they have been provided with vehicles, the only difference is the. number.
He stated,”The fact is that they have been provided with 14 vehicles. These vehicles are fuelled and maintained at the State House. They also alleged falsely that their fuel cards have been blocked. We, however, put it on record that the vehicles are fuelled through the State House Master Card,”
”Our records show that several vehicles were fuelled as recently as May 15, 2024.
The vehicles are also routinely maintained and serviced at State House. These services have been offered as recently as on April 5, May 7, May 8 and May 15, 2024. The office also claimed that the vehicles are old and not deserving of the retired President. But the records are clear: The vehicles were bought in the years ranging between 2020, 2021 and 2022,” he added.
Mwaura further highlighted that The Presidential Retirement Benefits Act specifies that a former President should have 34 staff. Already, 33 are in office.
Mwaura stated,”The Act also specifies that staff who work in the Office of the Retired President must be public servants. On Mr George Kariuki and Ms Kanze Dena. their names have not been forwarded to the State House Comptroller by the retired President for processing.”
The spokesman went on to underscore that The government diligently pays the salaries of the retired President, his staff and their allowances.
He stated,”The retired President’s budget is under the State House Comptroller, who is the accounting officer of the State House, including the Office of the Third Retired President. The Comptroller originates the budget and defends it in Parliament,”
”There was therefore no compelling obligation to seek concurrence on the budget with the Office of the Retired President.The government remains committed to upholding the rule of law at all times,” he added.