Goodies Uhuru Will Enjoy In Retirement After Handing Over To Ruto

Uhuru has been enjoying benefits legally accorded to his office to enhance his service delivery to Kenyans

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Sep 12, 2022 - 16:03 Updated: Sep 12, 2022 - 16:04
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Goodies Uhuru Will Enjoy In Retirement After Handing Over To Ruto
The State House handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and President-elect, William Ruto. /PSCU

President Uhuru Kenyatta ticked off congratulating president-elect William Ruto for winning the 2022 general elections, from his wishlist, as he heads back home to being an ordinary Kenyan.

In 2013, Uhuru's ordinary status was changed to the president for a period of 10 years with Ruto being his deputy. Now, his junior takes over from him as he proceeds to the walk to retirement at the age of only 60.

During his time as president, Uhuru has been enjoying benefits legally accorded to his office to enhance his service delivery to Kenyans as he had promised in his manifesto on the way to winning the 2013 election.

From August 8, Uhuru lost some of his powers and entered a period whereby he cannot hire or fire any State or public official, nor confer any national honours. This is referred to as temporary incumbency and is stipulated in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

President Uhuru inspects a guard of honour at the KDF farewell ceremony on September 9, 2022. /PSCU

As he heads out of State House, some of the benefits will be stripped from him, but given that he has been the Head of State, he will still have some perks to enjoy, which he is either way entitled to, according to the law.

Uhuru will bag at least Ksh39.6 million tax-free in lump sum payments when his second and final term in office comes to an end on Tuesday, September 13.

He will also pocket Ksh1.32 million in monthly pension plus a host of benefits that include an entertainment allowance, house allowance, office space, vehicles, fuel allowance and a full medical, all provided by the state free of tax.

The retired president and his spouse, outgoing First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, are also entitled to diplomatic passports and local and international travel allowance of up to four trips a year not exceeding two weeks each and access to the VIP lounge at all airports within Kenya.

The pension and benefits of the President when he retires will be drawn from the Ksh42.43 million already allocated in the current financial year’s budget. The allocation is guided by the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act of 2003.

The allocation is, however, expected to increase in the subsequent years due to inflation trends according to the National Treasury projections. For instance, Treasury projects the allocation will rise to Ksh42,776,150 in the 2023/24 financial year and Ksh51,759,141 in 2025/26.

President Kenyatta will, however, be required to step down from any position in any political party before he can access the pension and retirement benefits.

Section 6 (1) of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act of 2003, provides that a retired President shall not hold office in any political party for more than six months after ceasing to hold office as President. This now puts his current status as the Jubilee Party leader and the chairperson of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition council in real danger.

However, the Act provides that the retired president shall be expected to play a consultative and advisory role to the government and the people of Kenya. He may also be requested by the government to perform specific official functions and shall be paid a reasonable allowance in respect of such activities.

Uhuru will also get two personal assistants, four secretaries, four messengers, four drivers and bodyguards pushing his soon-to-be personal office and home workers to 34. These will include press secretaries and security officers paid for by the State, with the aides being seconded by the government.

He will be entitled to two new cars of his choice, replaceable every three years, each car having an engine capacity not exceeding 3000cc; another two four-wheel drive motor vehicles of his choice, replaceable every three years, each vehicle having an engine capacity of at least 3400cc.

Uhuru will be entitled to a Ksh200,000 fuel allowance and Ksh300,000 for electricity, water and telephone facilities.

“The retired president, his spouse and children under 18 years are entitled to a full medical and hospital cover, providing for local and overseas treatment with a reputable insurance company,” the Act states.

The outgoing first family with the incoming first family. /PSCU

According to the Act upon the death of a serving president or of a retired president who is in receipt of or who is entitled to a pension under this Act, his surviving spouse shall be entitled to benefits amounting to 50 per cent of such pension for the rest of her life.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Act, the National Assembly may on a motion supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the members’ resolve that a retired president or his surviving spouse shall not be entitled to the benefits on several grounds.

“The retired president may not get benefits if he ceased to hold office on account of having acted in willful violation of the Constitution, or was guilty of gross misconduct or has since ceasing to hold office; been convicted of an offence and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of three years or more without the option of a fine,” states the Act.

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