In the supplementary budget for the fiscal year 2022/2023, which ends on June 30, President William Ruto’s government lowered retirement payments granted to retiring Presidents by Ksh20 million.
The administration of statutory compensation for retiring presidents would get Ksh832 million, according to additional estimates provided by the National Treasury on Thursday, June 15.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government gave retiring presidents Ksh852 million at the start of the fiscal year.
The reduction would have a direct impact on Uhuru, Kenya’s sole retired president collecting statutory benefits.
If a former president dies, the surviving spouse is entitled to 50% of the pension under Kenyan Presidential Retirement Benefits Act No. 11 of 2003.
However, because Uhuru was resolute about not retiring, his adversaries, mostly from inside the government, put pressure on the present leadership to revoke his perks.
Kenya Kwanza supporters highlighted the Retirement Benefits Act, which states that a retiring president is entitled to retirement packages six months after leaving office.
In response, embattled Jubilee vice chairperson David Murathe cited Chapter 4 of the Constitution – The Bill of Rights – which provides all Kenyan citizens with the freedom to make political choices, including the right to form, or participate in the formation of, a political party, participate in its activities, or recruit members, and campaign for its cause.
On April 30, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula admonished Uhuru about his continued political activity, urging him to follow the rules and step down from active politics.
Three days later, Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe threatened to introduce a resolution to prevent Uhuru from receiving his retirement benefits.
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.
