Ruto slashes Uhuru retirement benefits

President Ruto slashes Uhuru Kenyatta retirement benefits by Ksh20 million in the supplementary budget.

President William Ruto’s administration reduced retirement benefits allocated to retired Presidents by Ksh20 million in the supplementary budget for the financial year 2022/2023 ending on June 30.

The National Treasury’s Thursday, June 15 announcement of supplemental estimates included Ksh832 million for the administration of the statutory benefits for former presidents.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration gave retiring presidents Ksh852 million at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Uhuru, the only retired president in Kenya receiving statutory benefits, will be directly impacted by the decrease.

The surviving spouse is entitled to 50% of the pension under Kenya’s Presidential Retirement Benefits Act No. 11 of 2003 in the event that a former president passes away.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking during the Jubilee Party National Delegates Convention (NDC)on May 22, 2023.

This comes after Uhuru remained adamant that he would not retire from active politics.

His critics, mainly drawn from the government, pressured the current regime to withdraw his benefits. 

Kenya Kwanza fanatics cited the Retirement Benefits Act, which dictates that a retired president will receive retirement packages six months after retirement.

In a rejoinder, embattled Jubilee vice chairperson, David Murathe quoted Chapter 4 of the Constitution – The Bill of Rights – which offers all Kenyan citizens the freedom to make political choices which includes the right to form, or participate in forming a political party, participate in the activities of, or recruit members, and to campaign for its cause.

Uhuru, Murathe stated, should enjoy the rights of a Kenyan citizen before being treated as a retired President. The former President also declared that he would not give in to threats or coercion and would continue in his role as Jubilee’s party leader. 

On Sunday, April 30, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula warned Uhuru of his continuous political involvement, urging him to abide by the law and retire from active politics. 

Three days later, Gatundu South Member of Parliament Gabriel Kagombe threatened to table a motion to bar Uhuru from enjoying his retirement benefits.

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As Uhuru’s retirement budget was being slashed, the President’s Executive Office received Ksh3 billion more in the supplementary budget, raising the amount from Ksh31 billion to Ksh34 billion. 

The extra Ksh3 billion will cover State House affairs, government advisory and services granted to the deputy president. 

Under government advisory services, the Executive Office of the President will receive an extra Ksh5 million for the power of the prerogative of mercy and an extra Ksh50 million for counter-terrorism advisory. 

Additionally, the Treasury allocated Ruto an extra Ksh2.6 billion to coordinate the State House functions. 

Uhuru’s administration had allocated deputy president services Ksh2.6 billion, which was revised to Ksh2.5 billion in the supplementary budget.

According to the Treasury, the money is to help the President facilitate effective support to his deputy in the execution of the constitutional mandate. 

Ruto’s office will also receive Ksh586 million for managing cabinet affairs, resource surveys and remote sensing.

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